¡HAY QUE REIRSE! SHOWCASE
San Diego Latino Film Festival
The 30th annual San Diego Latino Film Festival(SDLFF) was a whirlwind of in person events and films . Welcomed after Covid’s required virtual screenings this year’s festival was a landmark occasion.
The comedy showcase in the festival was a unique addition this year. The programming was curated by Film Maker, Humorist and content creator Luis Martinez aka Big Chief Burrito. The production company he runs with Brian Higginbotham called 2amburrito is working on several projects. Luis has been building his audience with Fireside chats and films that he directed and wrote. The Big Chief Burrito although recent to my knowledge has been honing his craft for years. Just like other overnight successes the trials and tribulations that bring someone to the limelight are complicated and are not overnight. Actress Sofia Carrillo and Luis have teamed up to host the Live stream show Mi Gente and are working on a weekly streaming schedule.
The Mi Gente show is a YouTube channel production Luis enjoys with Sofia Carrillo an actress and psychology M.S. who brings a cogent viewpoint to the varied subjects covered by the show. The Mi Gente show was a media sponsor of this year’s SDLFF 30th anniversary of the film festival.
The Big Chief Burrito
L-R Moises Esparza , Luis Martinez, Juan Lopez
The Mi Gente show covered the festival with onsite and in-studio shoots by CinemaViva Productions. The busy schedule was enough but Luis curating a showcase added to his immersion of this year’s festival programming. I was curious what caused him to almost overdrive himself. The Chef Burrito explained why he wanted to curate the comedy shorts program “It wasn’t for the money! Watching about 200 movies and the other time spent would come to about $2.00 an hour!” He said that he pitched the festival director for the showcase because he felt the festival needed a balance against some of the more serious subjects tackled by filmmakers that are the norm for the festival. A humorist in daily life which is the only way to be one Luis saw an opportunity to showcase a wide range of comical flavors into a showcase. The showcase screened several full-length films and 10 shorts. “The Q & As after the movies with the filmmakers and audience is the part I like the most” Luis explained.
The creation of productions like those from 2amburrito that give actors sag eligibility is the product of hard work and self-bootstrapping and should be supported and applauded, but it does not work without the talent to create content people will enjoy. This is not a problem for the crew at 2amburrito Productions.
Story By Michael Caro
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