BY KRISTAL SOTOMAYOR ON OCTOBER 13, 2020

This Hispanic Heritage Month, a selection of ten films from the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival (PHLAFF) are available on Xfinity On Demand Latino destination on X1 until the end of October. Based on the great response, the run has been extended from October 15th to the end of month. Xfinity On Demand subscribers throughout the U.S. have access to this incredible program. PHLAFF is dedicated to showcasing and nurturing Latin American cinema and culture to audiences in the Greater Philadelphia Area.

"Comcast has been a great supporter of PHLAFF's work for the past few years. Our team is grateful to have the opportunity to showcase the works of Latino filmmakers on their platforms. Our goal with this collaboration is to continue sharing our stories with our communities and wider audiences to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue," states Festival Director Marangeli Mejia Rabell.

To find the PHLAFF selections on Xfinity, go on X1, go to On Demand > Latino > Popular Destinations and click on “PHL Latino Film Festival.” You can also say “Latino” on the X1 Voice Remote and navigate to the Popular Destinations row. On Stream, go to Browse > Latino and click on “PHL Latino Film Festival."

Below is the full list of PHLAFF films available on Xfinity On Demand Latino:

Rocío directed by Darío Guerrero

An undocumented Harvard student deports himself and his dying Mom to seek alternative treatment in Mexico. He is not allowed to return, even with his DACA status, so he keeps the family camera rolling.

Cartas de amor para una ícona directed by Gisela Rosario Ramos

For her powerful voice and incomparable interpretive talent, Lucecita Benítez is considered Puerto Rico’s National Voice. Simultaneously marked as a controversial artist, for her queer identity and her political expression for the independence of Puerto Rico, resulting in a national veto in radio and television.

Vuelta al Sol directed by Judith Corro (LOLA Award Honorable Mention)

It's Cesar's birthday and his only wish is to have peace of mind, but his parents expect Cesar to wear clothes that make him feel uncomfortable. Cesar has to make a decision. Continue to please his family's expectations or be true to his identity as a trans man.

Bomplé directed by Joseph Spir Rechani

Bomplé takes a look at the powerfully and sonically immersive worlds of Bomba and Plena, two Afro Puerto Rican music genres, and how they evolved from their racial, highly stigmatized past through the diaspora of Puerto Ricans to North Philadelphia. Through sensory filmmaking and collaborative practices, BOMPLE grapples with conversations of racial politics, national identity and diasporic pride - all while beating drums, shaking maracas, and flailing skirts.

COVER/AGE directed by Set Hernandez Rongkilyo

For years, advocates have been organizing to make healthcare access a right for all in California, regardless of their immigration status. Set against the backdrop of California's Health4All campaign, COVER/AGE follows two leaders who have been championing the immigrant health justice movement in the Golden State.

Firefly (Centella) directed by Claudia Claremi

In Cuba the flight of fireflies, in the night, is said to be like a meeting of miniature spectres, weakened fires or wandering souls. Isabel invokes them and triggers the dance.

Hasta Domingo Soy Gringo directed by Daniel Novarro

Teleported to an unfamiliar world, an insecure teenager must chase after his kid-genius stepsister and return her home before their mom gets back from dinner.

Status Pending directed by Priscilla Gonzalez Sainz

A chronicle of the professional and personal lives of six first-generation immigration lawyers in the Los Angeles area who created a support group they call "The Tribe" and who strive to help immigrants obtain safety and status as their work is increasingly under attack by the current administration.

Vía Crucis directed by Compxs Caravanerxs

Central American migrants embark on a Via Crucis, or Way of Sorrows from Biblical lore, on their journey through Mexico to pay homage to the Virgen de Guadalupe on the hill of Tepeyac. Their ultimate goal: to surrender to US Customs and Border Protection.

El Monte directed by Claudia Claremi

In Sierra Maestra, Cuba, José Manuel explains to his granddaughter Malena his world view through deep knowledge of natures' mysteries. Plants and people have great resemblances and must respect each other. José Manuel hopes that Malena inherits the knowledge that he obtained from the father and she becomes a great mountain tree.

Photos courtesy of PHLAFF.