Curatorial Statement   

aluCine Latin Film+Media Arts Festival 2023

by Sinara Rozo Perdomo

Festival Director

Music transports us, connects us with memories, nostalgia, and emotions… Who doesn't remember a film by its soundtrack? Soundtracks are a fundamental part of stories for the big screen. It can increase the drama, make us laugh and cry, create an emotional connection between characters, and above all, make everyone dance!

The 23rd edition of the annual aluCine Latin Film & Media Arts Festival (October 5-7) will feature 20+ films including an amazing and eclectic array of music-related films from the South. These exciting works range from moods all across the spectrum, all illustrating the power of music and film: serious, humorous, entertaining, enlightening, uplifting, heartbreaking, inspiring, hopeful, informative, social commentary, and more.

“I'm more interested in putting out works that people who have a bit of curiosity will get turned onto and maybe find something new that they haven't heard or seen before. Maybe a kind of music that they were curious about but hadn't really heard. Then maybe the programming will pique their interest more. I aim to promote and disseminate the work of Latinx musicians and the diverse musical genres that have endued our lives. Music that has made us cry deeply, fall in love, or dance to the songs of our fantastic and diverse rhythms.” said artistic director Sinara Rozo.

The 23rd edition of the annual aluCine Film Festival; centered on Music in Cinema celebrates all types of music in independent films. We will showcase music videos, music-related narratives, documentary films, and any other film related to the love of music. Music connects people with memories, nostalgia, and emotions, from the happiness of cumbia from the 60s to the Chilean jazz drummers, from Colombian vallenato to women percussionists in Toronto and Brazilian bossa nova we have it all at aluCine! 

I invite you to enjoy a journey through the music and films that move us and connect us;  from 'La Danza de los Mirlos' or 'Leyenda Viva ' to 'Soul Beats', along with international successes such as 'Miucha, la Voz de Bossa Nova', Melodia Torrencial' and 'Phantom Neon'.

Every year we pay homage to our local talent with diverse works.  The Latin Canadian program questions themes about women's roles in music and politics through films like ‘Beating Like Her Drum’ and ‘Latin American Women in Canadian Politics’. Other works pay tribute to resilient souls who dared to dream.

Besides affordable single tickets, a heavily discounted full festival pass gives the audience access to everything at affordable prices.  Students and seniors have special discounts too.

In addition to film screenings, aluCine will host two after-parties with live musical guests. If your passion is film and music aluCine is the festival for you! Let’s celebrate through music in cinema because art and music heal things that medicine cannot.

Welcome to aluCine!



Spanish follows…

La música nos transporta, nos conecta con los recuerdos, la nostalgia y emociones… ¿Quién no recuerda una película por su banda sonora? El soundtrack es fundamental en las historias por la pantalla grande, puede aumentar el drama, hacernos reír y llorar, crear quiebres entre sus personajes y, sobre todo, hacernos bailar. ¿O no?

La edición 23 de aluCine es una apuesta por promocionar y difundir el trabajo de los músicos latinos y los diversos géneros musicales que nos han endulzado la vida, que nos han hecho llorar de emocion, enamorarnos o bailar al son de nuestros variados ritmos. Les invito a disfrutar de un recorrido por el cine y la música que nos mueve y nos conmueve. Desde ‘La Danza de los Mirlos’ o ‘Leyenda Viva ’ hasta ‘Soul Beats’, contando con éxitos internacionales como ‘Miucha, la Voz de Bossa Nova’ , Melodia Torrencial’ y ‘Fantasma Neon’. 

Como cada año rendimos homenaje al talento local que incluye una diversidad de películas que esta vez nos cuestionan el rol de la mujer en la música y la política. Entre ellas estan ‘Beating Like her Drum’ y ‘Latin American Women in Canadian Politics’. Asimismo, la programación del 23° Festival aluCine contempla grupos musicales que se podrán disfrutar después de los filmes en Tranzac Club, donde bailaremos al son que nos toquen los talentosos músicos Latino-canadienses.

El tono de aluCine 2023 es festivo, celebratorio y lleno de energia positiva. La intencion de nuestra programacion es recuperar la alegría contagiosa que nos caracteriza –y que nos fue robada en los dos últimos años– a través de la música del cine porque lel arte y a música sanan males que la medicina no puede.

¡Bienvenidos a aluCine!