The 9th Orlando Latin American Film & Heritage Festival, known as OLA Fest, will kick off its 9th year on February 8th with a special Opening Night event at the Hope CommUnity Center in Apopka, and subsequent events at Rollins College and Premiere Cinemas 14 at Fashion Square.
OLA Fest is a signature event of the Viva Florida 500 initiative celebrating the 500th anniversary of Ponce de Leon’s arrival in Florida.
On February 8, in Apopka, Roberto Gutierrez Varea, theatre director and author, will introduce the film, ‘Acting Together in the World Stage.’ Live music will be provided by flamenco guitarist Diego de Caceres. This is a free event, open to the public. On Saturday 9th, Roberto Varea will conduct a private workshop with a group of young people on how to stage community theatre based on their struggles as children caught in the present immigration system.
On February 15, Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young, producers of ‘Shift Change’– a film about the growing movement of worker-owned cooperatives, highlighting the work of the Mondragon Cooperatives in Spain and the new interest in worker-owned cooperatives in the United States. This is a free event at the SunTrust Auditorium at Rollins College.
On February 16, Fabian Morales Botero, a local graduate of Full Sail, will premiere his recently completed ‘Take Me Home’ a documentary about the plight of Central Florida homeless population. This event will be held at the Premiere Cinemas 14 in Fashion Square and costs $10 dollars. Half of the ticket price will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
In arrangement with the Global Film Initiative, OLA Fest will present films from ten Latin American countries. Regular ticket price is $5 dollars. Tickets may be purchased at Premiere Cinemas 14 box office.
For more information concerning events and films visit www.olafest.org
