21 Islands International Short Film Fest 3rd Edition at Pregones in The Bronx, Feb. 7-10 2019

Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater presents the 3^rd edition of its growing 21 Islands International Short Film Fest to take place on February 7-10, 2019, in the South Bronx. The film festival is curated by filmmaker and media producer Melisa Ramos, in partnership with Louis E. Perego Moreno (Tío Louie) of Prime Latino Media, the largest network of Latino multimedia-makers on the East Coast.

A diverse cross-section of the community served by Pregones/PRTT participates in the festival selection process. Artists, activists, scholars, audience members, and neighbors of diverse age and cultural heritage evaluate over 1,500 multilingual film submissions from more than 200 islands worldwide. Each finalist competes for both Festival Jury and Audience Choice awards.

The festival shines a spotlight on island life in all its richness and diversity. What are the particular and distinguishing features of island life and creative expression? Are there cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic preoccupations shared by island artists and audiences? How do the histories of different islands from around the world resemble and contrast each other? What imprint, if any, does island life leave on film genre, style, and tone?

21 Islands 3^rd Edition will feature animation, experimental, and live action films from: Australia, Canary Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Falkland Islands, Hawaii, Indonesia, Ireland, Ischia, Japan, Kalamata, Montreal, Philippines, Princes’ Islands, Puerto Rico, Sardinia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tenerife, and United Kingdom. Each festival screening is a kaleidoscope of the real and the imagined, bursting with memorable stories and characters, and plenty of audiovisual brio. 5 fun-packed screenings over 4 days!

DATES:                      Thursday, February 7 at 7PM – Opening Reception
                                    Friday, February 8 at 7PM – Q&A with Tío Louie
                                    Saturday, February 9 at 5PM
                                    Saturday, February 9 at 8PM – Adult Content Advisory
                                    Sunday, February 10 at 3PM – Q&A with Tío Louie + Awards Reception

LOCATION:                           Pregones Theater, 575 Walton Avenue, The Bronx

TICKETS:                  $7 Each Screening or $25 Festival Pass

                                    Online at WWW.PREGONESPRTT.ORG

                                    By phone at 718-585-1202 or at the door

DISCOUNTS:           Members, Groups, Seniors, Students, Zip Tickets – Restrictions Apply

This program is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council, and from the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Southwest Airlines is the Official Airline of Pregones/PRTT. For a full list of funders, please visit www.pregonesprtt.org.

PREGONES/PRTT / Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater is an award-winning acting and music ensemble, multidiscipline arts presenter, and owner/steward of bilingual arts facilities in The Bronx and Manhattan. Our mission is to champion a Puerto Rican/Latinx cultural legacy of universal value through creation and performance of original plays and musicals, exchange and partnership with other artists of merit, and engagement of diverse audiences. Our year-round programs offer attractive and affordable opportunities for arts access and participation to NYC residents and visitors alike.

MELISA RAMOS / Filmmaker, editor, curator, digital artist, and instructor with wide ranging experience in production from concept to distribution. She holds a Master’s degree in Film & Advertising, select credits include Bader TV, ESPN, HITN, HandMade, and EContent. She is co-creator of the 21 Islands International Short Film Fest and Bronx Film Wednesdays, both for Pregones/PRTT, and Short Cut NYC International Cinemafest. She has collaborated with performing/media artists in the production of original content, and was a 2017-2018 Step Up Artist In Residence at Pregones/PRTT.

LOUIS E. PEREGO MORENO / Founder and Executive Producer of Prime Latino Media, the largest network of Latino multimedia-makers and actors on the East Coast, for which he hosts the popular SALÓN series. He is also Interactive Content Producer and President of Skyline Features, a bilingual multimedia and educational production company developing documentaries, TV programming, and advertising commercials featuring Latinos, Blacks, Women, Urban Youth, and LGBT.