FEBRUARY

February brought a wave of excitement. We co-presented a special screening of what would soon become an Academy Award winner—Ainda Estou Aqui—at the Independent Picture House. We also offered our first-ever community class, expanding our commitment to local creatives. And we shared one of the biggest announcements in Cine Casual’s history: Colombian actress Majida Issa would be our special festival guest for the 2025 Charlotte Latino Film Festival.

MARCH

March was unforgettable. Ainda Estou Aqui won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film, becoming the fifth Latin American film in history to win in this category. Majida Issa sent a heartfelt message to the Charlotte community, building anticipation for her visit. We also hosted the North American premiere of CUARENCENA to a sold-out audience, followed by our first-ever family screening within the festival, featuring Capitán Avispa.

APRIL

April, one of the most anticipated months of the year, finally arrived—and with it, our special guests’ first-ever visit to the Carolinas. We hosted an intimate Cafecito conversation, followed by back-to-back sold-out screenings of El Bolero de Rubén. The film ultimately won the Audience Award, a testament to how deeply it resonated with Charlotte audiences. Watch the recap video.

MAY

In May, we joined REEL OUT, Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival once again, presenting Los domingos mueren más personas, a bold queer dark comedy exploring death, identity, and the absurdity of everyday life.

JUNE

June was a month of professional growth and behind-the-scenes strengthening. Our team participated in a series of capacity-building trainings. These sessions helped us continue building a stronger foundation for Cine Casual’s long-term sustainability and impact.

JULY

July marked the launch of our Cine en los Barrios 2025 season, the initiative that brings free, family-friendly outdoor screenings to neighborhoods across Mecklenburg County. Each gathering created space for connection—kids running around with popcorn, families bringing blankets, and neighbors discovering Latin American films together for the first time.

AUGUST

August brought the return of the 1CLT Film Fest, where we presented an encore screening of our 2025 Hecho Aqui/Made Here shorts as part of the festival lineup. It was a celebratory weekend that highlighted the strength of Charlotte’s independent film community.

SEPTEMBER

In September, we returned to the Charlotte Film Festival to present Bitter Gold, continuing our annual collaboration and strengthening our role within the city’s film ecosystem. Later that month, during Hispanic Heritage Month, our founder was honored by Charlotte Football Club, a moment of joy and recognition for the cultural work Cine Casual brings to the city.

OCTOBER

We closed the Cine en los Barrios season in October after visiting five neighborhoods and serving hundreds of children and families. This year marked our most expansive season yet, and each screening reaffirmed the power of accessible, community-centered arts programming. Watch the recap video.

NOVEMBER

In November, we announced an event we had been eagerly anticipating: the Charlotte premiere of The Changebaker, co-presented at the historic Carolina Theatre. The news quickly generated excitement, setting the tone for a meaningful start to 2026.

DECEMBER

We closed the year with intention and momentum as we officially began planning the 3rd edition of the Charlotte Latino Film Festival, set to take place in April 2026!