Algún Lugar

Guillermo Zouain / Spotlight Films Showcase / Dominican Republic / 2014 / Drama / 71 mins

Oliver, a middle class teenager about to graduate from high school, organizes a trip through the Dominican Republic with two best friends, Hemingway and Moisés. Each has a reason to embark on the journey - Oliver to say goodbye to his girlfriend, Veronica, before she moves to New York; Hemingway to escape his oppressive family, and become an established writer; and Moisés to document the trip as a farewell to his true passion of photography, before enrolling in civil engineering. The journey introduces them to unforgettable characters: Agustin, a Haitian, hitchhiking to the border; a famous photographer who shows them the importance of following your heart; and Marta, a beautiful artist, who reveals the possibility of a free and careless life. Oliver, Hemingway, and Moisés evolve past boyhood to the next stage of their lives with one constant, their friendship.

Amor de Mis Amores

Manolo Caro / Spotlight Films Showcase / Mexico / 2014 / Comedy, Romance / 95 mins

Sandra Echeverría, Sebastián Zurita, and Marimar Vega lead an all-star cast in this romantic comedy that proves the possibility of love is truly just one chance encounter away. While Carlos travels to Spain to convince his best friend to attend his wedding, his fiancé, Lucía (Echeverría), accidentally runs over a cyclist named León (Zurita). Sparks fly between the two in what appears to be a classic case of love at first sight. However, Lucía is unaware that León himself is engaged to be married to Ana, the woman he thought was the love of his life. Hi-jinx ensues in a film that plays fast and loose with romantic comedy conventions, to prove that in the case of modern love, everything is possible with an open heart.

Bald Mountain

Heitor Dhalia / Spotlight Films Showcase / Brazil / 2014 / Action, Western / 100 mins

Set in the early 1980s during one of the largest gold rushes in Brazilian history, Dhalia’s sprawling, stunning cinematic canvas focuses on two friends, Juliano (Juliano Cazarré) and Joaquim (Júlio Andrade), who leave Rio de Janeiro with dreams of striking it rich. They head off to the Amazon, like thousands of others, and soon find that life in the enormous, dangerous mining camps alters dramatically as they struggle to survive. Soon, their obsession with wealth and power changes each of them in different ways, and threatens their friendship. A powerful exploration of greed, loyalty, and betrayal, Bald Mountain is visually captivating and a thrilling interpretation of the Western genre.

Behavior

Ernesto Daranas Serrano / Spotlight Films Showcase / Cuba / 2014 / Drama / 108 mins

Adulthood comes early for Chala, who at 11-years old must provide for himself and his addict mother by raising carrier pigeons and training dogs to fight. School provides a welcome respite for Chala who finds support and guidance in the gregarious Carmela, his teacher and sole advocate. One day, Chala is sent to live in a “re-education facility” much to the outrage of Carmela. She embarks on a crusade to have Chala released and, in the process, goes against the obstinate school board who remain unmoved by Carmela’s inspirational cause. Her unwavering tenacity rallies support from her peers, and together they become part of a movement that calls for significant educational reforms.

Casi Treinta

Alejandro Sugich / Spotlight Films Showcase / Mexico / 2014 / Comedy, Romance / 96 mins

Emilio, a young professional living in Mexico City, supposedly has everything he’s ever dreamed of: an amazing job, a beautiful apartment, and the perfect girlfriend. However, as his 30th birthday approaches, he begins questioning his happiness. A trip to his hometown for a friend’s wedding allows him to reconnect with the person he used to be. As he and his friends embark on a series of adventures, Emilio gains the insight to put his life on a track that truly leads to absolute dream fulfillment.

Ciudad Delirio

Chus Gutiérrez / Spotlight Films Showcase / Colombia/Spain / 2014 / Comedy, Romance / 96 mins

Javier, a shy Spanish doctor on a business trip in Colombia, meets Angie, a beautiful dancer and owner of a prestigious salsa school. He decides to extend his visit in hopes of successfully wooing Angie. The pressure of an important audition for DELIRIO, the most famous salsa show in the world, and their cultural differences create obstacles that hinder their forming a romantic relationship. However, a mixture of potential love and salsa dancing proves to be an undeniably efficient confection in this charming, sexy romantic comedy.

De Arriba Para Bajo

Juan Carlos Carrasco / Spotlight Films Showcase / Mexico / 2014 / Documentary / 90 mins

This hilarious documentary follows acclaimed television presenter and iconic Mexican comedian Adal Ramones during his stand up tour in the United States. Viewers will become acquainted with Adal’s rambunctious but always supportive team, and will get to know a tender side of Adal never before captured on-screen. As the tour goes on, Adal must push through a palpable longing for his family, and turn to his loving fans for support.

Eddie Reynolds y los Ángeles de Acero

Gustavo Moheno / Spotlight Films Showcase / Mexico / 2014 / Comedy, Music / 106 mins

Rock n’ roll dreams are truly magical. For rockero Eddie Reynolds (Damián Alcázar), this dream has almost died. Then a second chance at rock n’ roll fame comes his way, and he needs to mend some much-needed relationships, especially with his estranged daughter. With redemption to the tune of a loud guitar, this film plays like a great rock anthem. Get ready to raise your lighters.

Gloria

Christian Keller / Spotlight Films Showcase / Mexico / 2014 / Drama / 126 mins

One of the most controversial pop icons to ever exist, finally gets the bio-pic treatment we have all been waiting for. Gloria Trevi's roller coaster life is on full display in Christian Keller's debut feature film. Whatever you know about Gloria won't prepare you for what you’re about to see.

La isla minima

Alberto Rodriguez Librero / Spotlight Films Showcase / Spain / 105 mins

A series of murders in a desolate town forces two detectives with very little in common to put aside their differences in order to track down the killer. Their incongruent ideologies, however, prove to be too strong and threaten to derail them from being successful in their mission. This winner of 10 Goya Awards - including Best Picture - is a nail biting thriller unlike any you have ever seen.