San Diego Latino Film Festival includes downtown venues in their celebrations

By Anthony King | Downtown News

The Merk Bistro, located at 820 Fifth Ave. in the Gaslamp Quarter, once again hosted the media kick off party for the 19th Annual San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF). Festival Founder and Media Arts Center San Diego Executive Director Ethan van Thillo announced this year’s film line up, which includes over 170 films, at the Feb. 23 kick off.

The restaurant is part of The Keating Hotel, a boutique hotel that moved into the historic building after an extensive remodel by Pininfarina Extra. Pininfarina is best known for designing Italian luxury sports cars, including the Maserati Birdcage. The building was constructed by Fannie Keating in 1890 and previously housed the San Diego Public Library and the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, among others.

Jesseca Crissey, public relations spokesperson for The Keating Hotel and The Merk Bistro said she was glad to have the SDLFF back at The Merk. “It’s fun to have them in the venue, with the live music and everyone getting together mingling,” she said.

“We thought it would be nice to have this event here and bring in lots of different people who are not normally down in this setting [or] not always hanging out in downtown,” Crissey said.

This is the second year the downtown restaurant hosted the kick off party for SDLFF. The festival films screen at the UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas at the Hazard Center in Mission Valley, but festival organizers are including many neighborhoods in San Diego for the festival, including The Merk Bistro downtown.

“They came back to us, and they said they had a blast. They love the venue space [and] the open high ceilings. You’re able to bring lots of different demographics of people into different areas,” Crissey said. “It’s open and fun.”

The evening included food from the restaurant, which is overseen by Executive Chef Brian Rutherford. Rutherford previously worked as the executive sous chef for the US Grant Hotel. Rutherford teamed up with Chef Gordon Ramsay, of “Hell’s Kitchen” fame, for the Bistro’s menu.

As part of the Bistro’s new focus, Crissey said they were looking to host more diverse events, including live music and art shows. “What’s interesting,” she said, “is the city isn’t always known for all its arts and culture and I think that [it] is definitely getting a new heartbeat… [and] expanding everywhere. For us, we’re actually starting to do more art shows. We want to do monthly art events and music.”

“It’s nice to get a bunch of people together to celebrate something big for San Diego,” Crissey said. “We’re getting art down here, too [and] getting life into downtown San Diego.”

The Festival, which runs March 8 – 18, offers several different programs, including Latinos on TV, the United States Latino Showcase, the 7th Annual Cine Gay Showcase and a new feature, New Chilean Directors. Featuring four different full-length films, the New Chilean Directors is being presented in part by the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Relations.

This is the second year SDLFF will offer the Jewish Latino Cinema program and a selection of Jewish films. Sponsored in part by the Leichtag Foundation, the program includes three features and two documentaries screening at various times during the festival.

“While reflecting the Jewish experience, the films first and foremost tell stories that are inextricably Latin American,” festival organizers said in a press release. “Like the best of Latin American cinema, they form part of a rich tapestry with a vibrant historical perspective.”

The Film Festival, which is organized by the Media Arts Center San Diego, returns to downtown for the closing night party on March 17. Festival organizers have chosen 4th & B, a music and nightlife venue at 345 B St. The party begins at 9 p.m. and will feature the band Orquestra Binacional de Mambo.

General admission tickets for individual screenings are $10. Passes and group tickets are available as well. For ticket information and for the Festival’s complete screening schedule, visit sdlatinofilm.com. UltraStar Mission Valley Cinemas is located at 7510 Hazard Center Dr.