HITN TV announced that entries are officially being accepted for the first edition of the "¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Festival" to debut from April 15 – May 15, 2020. The initiative is being presented in collaboration with Northeastern Illinois University, Roberto Clemente Community Academy and Philadelphia Latino Film Festival.
Presented under the theme The Past meets The Present and Moves into the Future, the "¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Festival" is designed to support emerging Latinx filmmakers in their creative endeavors, embracing a wide range of film genres that showcase the talents, vision, history and culture of historically underrepresented communities.
It seeks to champion the voices of those who are currently struggling for visibility on screen and behind the camera by providing a platform for young changemakers to express themselves through art, creativity and innovation.
“We wanted to showcase the unique perspectives and experiences of young Latinos, and we decided the best way to do this was to give young Latinos a platform to express their perspectives through film,” said Michael D. Nieves, President and CEO of HITN.
“Films are one of the most powerful forms of storytelling. They are highly effective at raising awareness, improving understanding and inspiring action and these are precisely our goals with this inaugural film festival,” added Alejandro Molina, "¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Festival Coordinator". “The upcoming 2020 Census and elections are pivotal moments for Latinos. Whether you are an amateur filmmaker in college or a high school student who aspires to make movies one day, we want to hear your story.”
The "¡Tú Cuentas! Cine Youth Festival" initiative is looking for short films that feature a Latinx in a creative lead position either in front or behind the camera. High school and college students are invited to direct, shoot and create their own short films to enter into the festival. English or Spanish-language works of fiction or nonfiction are welcome. Filmmakers are invited to submit their short films for one of the following categories: Technology, Arts & Culture, Environment, Education, Social Empowerment. All film genres, including documentary, drama, animation, comedy, and narrative, are eligible.