The offerings are highlighted by the Turner Classic Movies premieres of seven Spanish-language films by acclaimed Mexican director Ismael Rodriguez, including his 1957-60 trilogy about the life of revolutionary hero Pancho Villa. Four of the Rodriguez’s films will be presented late-night Sundays as part of TCM Imports, the network’s international cinema showcase.

Elia Kazan’s epic Viva Zapata! (1952), making its first appearance on TCM, stars Marlon Brando as revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and Mexican-born Anthony Quinn in an Oscar-winning performance as his brother, Eufemio. TCM will also present the highly entertaining Viva Villa (1934), with Wallace Beery in one of his best roles as Pancho Villa.

“The Mexican Revolution is a fascinating period in history, full of memorable people and exciting stories,” said TCM host Robert Osborne. ”TCM’s commemoration offers viewers a chance to learn more about that country’s long struggle against dictatorship and corruption, while also enjoying the exciting work of some of the top film talent in Mexico.”

The following is the complete schedule:

-       Asi era Pancho villa (1957)

-       Pancho Villa y Valentina (1958)

-       Cuando ¡Viva Villa! es la muerte (1960)

-       La cucaracha (1959)

-       Las mujeres de mi general (1951)

-       Viva Zapata! (1952)

-       Viva Villa (1934)

-       La Bandida (1962)

Source: /PRNewswire/

Red carpet events and screenings will also be taking place at the Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 (260 West 23rd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues). The gripping TROPICO DE SANGRE, starring Michelle Rodriguez and Cesar Evora, will headline Dominican Night on Thursday, July 29 at Columbia University Alumni Auditorium (168th Street at Fort Washington). STOLEN DREAMS (Sohnos Robados), 2009 Winner of the Rio International Film Festival is the Closing Night film on Saturday July 31 at the School of Visual Arts Theater. Tickets are on sale at the festival’s box office at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9 and the festival’s web site: http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com. The NYILFF has been presented by HBO(R) for the past 11 years.

This year, the #1 Latino film festival in the country, will present over 100 films ranging from full-length features, documentaries and shorts including several star-studded red carpet premieres. Celebrities invited to attend are America Ferrera, Jimmy Smits, Wilmer Valderrama, Michelle Rodriguez, Ana de la Reguera, Paul Rodriguez, and many more.

“NYILFF is proud to provide the best platform for filmmakers, sponsors and audiences alike,” says Elizabeth Gardner, Executive Director NYILFF. “After ten years, they know that our festival offers top-notch venues, staff, promotions, industry events, parties and media impressions surrounding their films and events. NYILFF is still the best investment in the Hispanic/Urban space.”

“Cinema has become global and few other film festivals, Latino or not, represent the breadth and width of our programming at NYILFF,” says Calixto Chinchilla, Co-Executive Director and Programmer. “Not to mention, the attendance of stars from Hollywood, Latin America and Europe that make NYILFF the memorable experience it is.”

For a complete schedule of films, please go to http://www.nylatinofilm.com.

/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/

BEST PICTURE
‘Avatar’, directed by James Cameron
‘The Hurt Locker’, directed by Kathryn Bigelow
‘Precious’, directed by Lee Daniels
‘The Blind Side’, directed by John Lee Hancock
‘District 9’, directed by Neill Blomkamp
‘Inglorious Basterds’, directed by Quentin Tarantino
‘Up’, directed by Pete Docter
‘Up In The Air’, directed by Jason Reitman
‘An Education’, directed by Lone Scherfig
‘A Serious Man’, directed by The Coen Brothers

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE
‘Ajami’ (Israel)
‘El Secreto de Sus Ojos’ (Argentina)
‘The Milk of Sorrow’ (Peru)
‘Un Prophète’ (France)
‘The White Ribbon’ (Germany)

BEST DIRECTOR
Kathryn Bigelow for The ‘Hurt Locker’
James Cameron for ‘Avatar’
Lee Daniels for ‘Precious’
Jason Reitman for ‘Up in the Air’
Quentin Tarantino for ‘Inglorious Basterds’

BEST ACTOR
Jeff Bridges for ‘Crazy Heart’
George Clooney for ‘Up in the Air’
Colin Firth for A ‘Single Man’
Morgan Freeman for ‘Invictus’
Jeremy Renner for ‘The Hurt Locker’

BEST ACTRESS
Sandra Bullock for ‘The Blind Side’
Helen Mirren for ‘The Last Station’
Carey Mulligan for ‘An Education’
Gabourey Sidibe for ‘Precious’
Meryl Streep for ‘Julie & Julia’

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Matt Damon for ‘Invictus’
Christopher Plummer for ‘The Last Station’
Stanley Tucci for ‘The Lovely Bones’
Christoph Waltz for ‘Inglourious Basterds’

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penélope Cruz for ‘Nine’
Vera Farmiga for ‘Up in the Air’
Maggie Gyllenhaal for ‘Crazy Heart’
Anna Kendrick for ‘Up in the Air’
Mo’Nique for ‘Precious’

BEST SCREENPLAY FROM AN ADAPTATION
‘District 9’: Neill Blomkamp, Terri Tatchell
‘An Education’: Nick Hornby
‘In the Loop’: Jesse Armstrong, Simon Blackwell, Armando Iannucci, Tony Roche
‘Precious’: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire: Geoffrey Fletcher
‘Up in the Air’: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
‘The Hurt Locker’: Mark Boal
‘Inglorious Basterds’: Quentin Tarantino
‘The Messenger’: Oren Moverman, Alessandro Camon
‘A Serious Man’: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
‘Up’: Bob Peterson, Pete Docter

On Tuesday morning, at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m., this year’s Oscar nominations will be announced at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater. And whoever is announcing the best-picture nominees had better take a deep breath — because this year, he or she is reading 10 names.

It’s a new twist that’s shaking things up for Oscar-watchers in 2010. The decision to go from five titles to 10 was made last summer, ostensibly to give Academy voters a chance to showcase more films, but in all likelihood inspired by the telecast’s sagging ratings and frequent criticism that the Academy, in its top awards, ignores movies popular with audiences (like last year’s “The Dark Knight”).