Festival lineup explores resilience through powerful storytelling
‘It Would Be Night in Caracas’ to open with Southeast U.S. premiere

CHARLOTTE, NC – The Charlotte Latino Film Festival (CLFF), presented by Cine Casual, returns for its third edition April 16–26, 2026, bringing a dynamic lineup of Latin American cinema to the Queen City. Screenings will take place at the Independent Picture House, alongside receptions, filmmaker conversations, community events, and a closing night celebration at Divine Barrel Brewing.

This year’s festival is anchored by the theme “joy in resistance.” Through 12 feature films and one local short, CLFF invites audiences to reflect on resilience, identity, and the enduring power of storytelling in the face of adversity.

The festival opens Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring appetizers and a cash bar, followed by the Southeast U.S. premiere of Aún es de noche en Caracas (It Would Be Night in Caracas), a gripping adaptation of Karina Sainz Borgo’s acclaimed novel.

Set in a collapsing Caracas, the film follows Adelaida, who returns home after burying her mother only to find her apartment taken over by an armed militia. As the city unravels, she must risk everything, even her identity, to survive. The film is both an urgent political thriller and a deeply human story about displacement, dignity, and the right to exist.

“The Charlotte Latino Film Festival is more than a celebration of film. It’s a reflection of the times we’re living in,” said Giovanna Torres, founder of Cine Casual. “In moments of uncertainty, storytelling becomes essential. These films remind us that even in the hardest circumstances, there is still joy, resistance, and humanity.”

That spirit carries throughout the program, including the return of HECHO AQUÍ (Made Here), Cine Casual’s showcase of North Carolina-based Latino filmmakers. Among them is director William D. Caballero, who will present TheyDream following its recognition at Sundance.

The festival will close with a special presentation of The Changebaker, a short film highlighting the work and impact of Charlotte-based community leader Manolo Betancur.

The 2026 lineup features films from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Spain, the United States, and Venezuela, along with post-screening conversations with artists, filmmakers, and community leaders. Together, these experiences reinforce CLFF’s mission to create space for dialogue, connection, and cultural exchange.

Tickets & Information

Tickets and the full festival lineup are available at CharlotteLatinoFilmFestival.com. Follow @cltlatinofilmfest on social media for updates.

The 2026 Charlotte Latino Film Festival is presented by Cine Casual and funded, in part, by the City of Charlotte, with additional support from the Hispanic Federation.