International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival Marks 15th Anniversary with Cultural Celebration

The International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival celebrated its 15th anniversary from November 12 to 16 with a five-day showcase featuring more than 100 independent films, shorts, web series and music videos from around the world. This year's milestone event, themed "La Quinceañera," took place in one of New York's most vibrant Latino neighborhoods, spotlighting Puerto Rico's rich culture, creative talent and global diaspora through live screenings, special events and industry panels.

The festival's opening celebration, hosted by comedian Mark Viera, honored influential voices and trailblazers in the Puerto Rican and Latino community. An awards ceremony at El Museo del Barrio recognized several notable figures: Carlos Ponce received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Joe E. Torres was honored with the Excellence in Television Media and Journalism Award, Summer Rose Castillo earned the Rising Star Award, Wilson Cruz received the Humanitarian Award, and Rafael Rivera-Viruet was presented with the Aureo I. Cardona Visionary Award.

On November 13, actors Wilson Cruz and Sonia Manzano participated in a free public panel titled "Cafecito con Actores y Directores," discussing the portrayal and journey of Boricua and Latino talent in film and television. This event was presented in partnership with Centro, the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the Silberman School. Since its founding, the festival has grown from a one-night screening into a five-day cultural celebration supported by corporate partners, patrons and audiences, featuring recognition ceremonies for Puerto Rican icons, workshops for emerging filmmakers and a diverse slate of films reflecting the Puerto Rican and broader Latino experience.

"Celebrating our 15th year was an incredible milestone," said Veronica Caicedo, founder and executive director of IPRHFF. "Since day one, we've been deeply committed to our community and inspired by the growth of the filmmaking industry. This festival continued to serve as a platform to reflect the changing realities of our time while showcasing the beauty and strength of our culture." The festival's mission focuses on creating platforms that allow a diverse pool of influencers in filmmaking to reach broader audiences, fostering a collaborative environment for artists to explore issues inherent to Puerto Rican heritage and diaspora. For more information, visit https://www.iprhff.org.