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Save the date: October 9-12, 2025
LULASFF 2025: Award-Winning Latin American and Spanish Films Take Center Stage at Lawrence University
Lawrence University invites the community to the Latin American and Spanish Film Festival (LULASFF) 2025, a four-day celebration of cinematic excellence from Latin America and Spain. Held at the Warch Campus Center Cinema (711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton, WI) from October 9–12, the festival features recently released, internationally acclaimed films, all presented in their original languages with English subtitles.
Festival Schedule & Awards:
Thursday, Oct. 9
- 5:00 PM: In the Summers (Puerto Rico, Dir. Alessandra Lacorazza)
Grand Jury Prize & Best Director – Sundance Film Festival
Grand Special Prize – Deauville Film Festival - 8:00 PM: Dear Gentlemen (Colombia, Dir. Patricia Castañeda)
Audience Choice Award – Chicago Latino Film Festival
Official Selection, International Features - New York Latino Film Festival
Friday, Oct. 10
- 5:00 PM: Sujo (Mexico, Dir. Astrid Rondero & Fernanda Valadez)
Grand Jury Prize – Sundance Film Festival
Best Ibero-American Film – Palm Springs International Film Festival
Best Film, Best Direction, Best Supporting Actress – Ariel Awards (Mexico) - Best Mexican Feature – Morelia International Film Festival
- Special Event: Meet the Director!
Join us for a Q&A and reception with director Astrid Rondero immediately following the screening of “Sujo.”
Saturday, Oct. 11
- 5:00 PM: A House on Fire (Spain, Dir. Dani de la Orden)
Best Comedy, Best Actress, Best Screenplay – Feroz Awards
Audience Award – José María Forqué Awards - 8:00 PM: Undercover (Spain, Dir. Arantxa Echevarría)
Best Film – Goya Awards
Best Actress – Goya Awards (Carolina Yuste)
Best Film – ASECAN Awards
Sunday, Oct. 12
- 2:00 PM: In Her Place (Chile, Dir. Maite Alberdi)
Best Latin American Film – Forqué Awards
Nominee – Golden Seashell, San Sebastián International Film Festival
Don’t miss this vibrant showcase of global cinema and the chance to meet a celebrated director in person!
Directions and Parking
Ramp or street parking is recommended; limited visitor spaces available near the Chapel, Chapman Hall, and Brokaw Hall.
- Warch Campus Center Cinema, 711 E. Boldt Way, Appleton, WI (Google Map)
- Campus Map
- Download parking map
Disclaimer About Film Content and Views Expressed
The films presented in this festival are the creative expressions of their respective creators and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Lawrence University or its affiliates. The purpose of showcasing these films is to provide a platform for artistic exploration and cultural exchange. The diverse range of perspectives presented in these films may include themes, content, or viewpoints that some viewers may find challenging, thought-provoking, or controversial.
Lawrence University encourages open dialogue and critical thinking, and the inclusion of a film in this festival does not constitute an endorsement of its content by the University. We respect the freedom of artistic expression and believe that films have the power to engage audiences in meaningful conversations about various subjects.
Viewers are advised that some films may contain content such as strong language, explicit imagery, sensitive topics, or differing ideologies. Viewer discretion is advised, and attendees should use their own judgment when selecting films to watch. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment, and we encourage viewers to engage with the films and each other in a respectful and considerate manner.
The film festival aims to provide a platform for filmmakers to share their unique perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of different cultures, ideas, and narratives. As such, the films may challenge preconceptions, evoke emotions, and spark discussions that contribute to the educational and artistic experience of the Lawrence University community.
By attending this film festival, viewers acknowledge that the films presented are artistic works and may not reflect the views of University, its faculty, staff, students, or administration. The college is proud to support the freedom of expression and the exploration of diverse viewpoints through the medium of film.
Organizers of LULASFF
SPONSORS
Siekman Foundation
Helen Barr Rudin Fund and Foreign Language Coalition
Department of Spanish
Friends of the Festival
CONTACT
PAST EDITIONS
2024
Guest speaker: Director Juliana Maité
- WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION / Receta No Incluida (Puerto Rico 2022)
- THE ETERNAL MEMORY / La Memoria Infinita (Chile 2023) Directed by Maite Alberdi
- LOVE AND REVOLUTION / Te Estoy Amando Locamente (Spain 2023) Directed by Alejandro Marín
- CASSANDRO (Mexico 2023) Directed by Roger Ross Williams and starring Gael García Bernal
- ALEGRÍA (Spain 2021) Directed by Violeta Salama
2023
Guest Speaker: Prof. Patricia Vilches, "Between Dictatorship and Democracy: Chile, 50 Years After the Coup"
- CHILE '76 (Chile, 2022)
- ARGENTINA, 1985 (Argentina, 2022)
- THE FISHBOWL / La Pecera (Puerto Rico, 2023)
- A PLACE CALLED MUSIC / Un Lugar Llamado Música (Mexico, 2022)
- LOST IN THE NIGHT / Perdidos en la Noche (Mexico, 2023)
- THE BEASTS / As Bestas (Spain, 2022)
2022
Guest speaker: Dr. Javier Guerrero (Princeton University).
- THE WEASELS' TALE / El cuento de las comadrejas (Argentina, 2019)
- PRAYERS FOR THE STOLEN / Noche de fuego (Mexico, 2021)
- Talk "ALMODÓVAR: A CRITICAL TAKE" by Dr. Javier Guerrero
- PARALLEL MOTHERS / Madres paralelas (Spain, 2021)
- CLARA SOLA (Costa Rica, 2021)
- THE GOOD BOSS / El buen patrón (Spain, 2021)
- A WORLD FOR JULIUS / Un mundo para Julius (Peru, 2021)
2019
Guest speaker: Film director Gonzalo Justiniano (Damn Kids, Chile 2018).
- PERFECT STRANGERS / Perfectos desconocidos (Mexico, 2018)
- BROKEN PANTIES / Calzones rotos (Chile, 2018)
- BIRDS OF PASSAGE / Pájaros de verano (Colombia, 2018)
- THE ANGEL / El Ángel (Argentina, 2018)
- THE CHAMBERMAID / La camarista (Mexico, 2019)
- JOURNEY TO A MOTHER’S ROOM / Viaje al cuarto de una madre (Spain, 2018)
- DAMN KIDS / Cabros de mierda (Chile, 2018) and Q&A with Damn Kid’s director Gonzalo Justiniano
2018
Guest speakers: film director Carla Cavina (Puerto Rico), and producers Tania Zamora and Francesca Romero, LU '11 (Mexico).
- WOODPECKERS (José María Cabral, Dominican Republic, 2017)
- THE LAST SUIT (Pablo Solarz, Argentina, 2017)
- TEMPEST (Tatiana Huezo, Mexico, 2016)
- THE UNTAMED (Amat Escalante, Mexico, 2016)
- EXTRA-TERRESTRIALS (Carla Cavina, Puerto Rico, 2016)
- NOBODY'S WATCHING (Julia Solomonoff, Argentina, 2017)
- SUMMER 1993 (Carla Simón, Spain, 2017)
- SPIDER THIEVES (Guillermo Helo, Chile, 2017)
2017
Guest speaker: film director Arí Maniel Cruz (Puerto Rico).
- THE BRIDE (Paula Ortiz, Spain, 2015)
- THE CLAN (Pablo Trapero, Argentina, 2015)
- ALIAS MARIA (José Luis Rugeles, Colombia, 2015)
- THE COMPANION (Pavel Giroud, Cuba, 2015)
- BEFORE THE ROOSTER CROWS (Arí Maniel Cruz, Puerto Rico, 2016)
- DESIERTO (Jonás Cuarón, Mexico, 2016)
- NERUDA (Pablo Larraín, Chile, 2016)
- JULIETA (Pedro Almodóvar, Spain, 2016)
2016
Keynote: "Latin American Cinema and Globalization," Dr. Sophia McClennen (Penn State U).
Guest speaker: Film director and actor Brionne Davis (Embrace of the Serpent).
- WILD TALES (Damián Szifron, Argentina 2014)
- MAGICAL GIRL (Carlos Vermut, Spain 2014)
- 600 MILES (Gabriel Ripstein, Mexico 2015)
- FROM AFAR (Lorenzo Vigas, Venezuela 2015)
- THE CLUB (Pablo Larraín, Chile, 2015)
- THE EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT (Ciro Guerra, Colombia 2015)
- MARSHLAND (Alberto Rodríguez, Spain 2014)
2015
Keynote: “Latin America and/in the Global World Order,” Dr. Walter Mignolo (Duke U).
Guest speakers: film directors Rubén Mendoza (Colombia) and Moisés Sepúlveda (Chile).
- BAD HAIR (Mariana Rondón, Venezuela 2013)
- DUST ON THE TONGUE (Rubén Mendoza, Colombia 2014)
- TWO SHOTS FIRED (Martín Rejtman, Argentina 2014)
- TO KILL A MAN (Alejandro Fernández, Chile 2014)
- CANTINFLAS (Sebastián del Amo, Mexico, 2014)
- THE ILLITERATE (Moisés Sepúlveda, Chile 2013)
- LIVING IS EASY WITH EYES CLOSED (David Trueba, Spain 2013)
2014
Guest speakers: film directors Juan Andrés Arango (Colombia), Adrián Saba (Perú) and Catherine Tatge (USA).
- AFTER LUCÍA (Michel Franco, Mexico 2012)
- WAKOLDA/THE GERMAN DOCTOR (Lucía Puenzo, Argentina 2013)
- LA PLAYA DC (Juan Andrés Arango, Colombia 2012)
- SO MUCH WATER, (Ana Guevara, Uruguay 2013)
- THE CLEANER, (Adrián Saba, Peru 2012)
- WHITE ELEPHANT, (Pablo Trapero, Argentina 2012)
- GLORIA, (Sebastián Lelio, Chile 2013)
- CANNIBAL (Manuel Martín Cuenca, Spain 2013)
2013
Guest speakers: film directors Solveig Hoogesteijn (Venezuela) and Raphael Alvarez (Brazil), and Dr. Javier Guerrero (Princeton U)
- BLANCANIEVES (Pablo Berger, Spain 2012)
- MAROA (Solveig Hoogesteijn, Venezuela 2006)
- DUDAMEL: LET THE CHILDREN PLAY (Alberto Arvelo, Venezuela 2010)
- DZI CROQUETTES (Raphael Alvarez and Tatiana Issa, Brazil 2009)
- THE VIOLIN (Francisco Vargas, Mexico 2005)
- BIRDS OF PASSAGE (Rachel Lears, USA-Uruguay 2009)
- MARIMBAS FROM HELL (Julio Hernández Cordón, Guatemala 2010)
- THE WIND JOURNEYS (Ciro Guerra, Colombia 2009)
- VIOLETA WENT TO HEAVEN (Andrés Wood, Chile 2011)
2012
Keynote: "The Films of Pedro Almodóvar," Dr. Paul Julian Smith (CUNY)
- THE SKIN I LIVE IN (Pedro Almodóvar, Spain 2011)
- THE FISH CHILD (Lucía Puenzo, Argentina 2009)
- REVERÓN (Diego Rísquez, Venezuela 2011)
- LEAP YEAR (Michael Rowe, Mexico 2010)
- A YEAR WITHOUT LOVE (Anahí Berneri, Argentina 2005)
- UNDERTOW (Javier Fuentes León, Peru 2009)
- LOVE FOR SALE (Karim Ainou, Brazil 2006)
- MOSQUITA & MARI (Aurora Guerrero, USA 2012)
- CHICO & RITA (Fernando Trueba, Spain 2010)