Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and Fundación Proa, “Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America Film Festival” was presented by Ternium. Featured during this three day festival were vibrant films from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.

Dramas, comedies and documentaries that depict various aspects of Latin life, culture and society were showcased Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). The first annual Latin Wave: New Films from Latin America, sponsored by Ternium was organized by MFAH and Fundación Proa.

To start off this annual event, six films from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela made their Houston premiere. Each screening was introduced by a filmmaker or the series curator and was followed by commentary from the filmmakers. The Festival surpassed attendance expectations reaching full capacity for all showings. “Latin Wave features a selection of the best recent films from these countries. These films emphasize the vibrant and diverse film industry of Latin America, giving Houston viewers a taste of the revitalized Latin cinema”, said Monika Wagenberg, Festival director and curator.

The Festival opened with the premier of the Argentinean production of Cama adentro (Live-in Maid) introduced by the film’s director Jorge Gaggero; and the Venezuelan production of Punto y raya (Step Forward) introduced by the film’s director Elia Schneider.

On Saturday evening, Ternium held a private reception and screening of El Perro (The Dog). Paolo Rocca, Chairman of Ternium and Peter Marzio, Director of MFAH were in attendance. Before the private screening, Rocca introduced Carlos Sorin, director of El Perro by stating, “Ternium today is a global enterprise built from a Latin American foundation. This is the culture from which we draw our strength. Latin America represents great diversity that is full of energy, passion and different views. Houston has a great representation of Hispanic culture. We want to increase the relationship that exists between Houston and the Latin American culture through this film festival. This is a series that has just begun and that will continue for the next five years”.

Ternium, in addition to being a part of the Festival this year, has agreed to sponsor The Latin Wave: New Films From Latin America for the next five years and it will present more than 30 Latin films from both commercial and independent studios.

The Festival was also an opportunity for film attendees to engage in panel discussions with filmmakers which was moderated by Richard Peña, Director of the New York Film Festival and Program Director of the Film Society of Lincoln Center as well as Monika Wagenberg.

In regards to this joint initiative with the MFAH, Adriana Rosenberg, Director of Fundación Proa, was extremely pleased with the outcome. “Fundación Proa has been a point of reference in the art community of Buenos Aires thanks to our annual exhibits, seminars, courses and conferences. We are extremely happy to bring a selection of Latin American films with the MFAH to Houston for this Festival”.