By Maria Esteves - July 29, 2009

The 10th New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) presented by HBO Opening Night New York Premiere of LA MISSION, written/directed by Peter Bratt, was held at the School for Visual Arts, Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 PM. 2009 NYILFF Opening Night Gala red carpet arrivals included HBO vice president, acquisition & multicultural marketing Lucinda Martinez-Desir, festival founder/co-executive director Calixto Chinchilla, festival executive director Elizabeth Gardner, NYILFF; cast of LA MISSION director Peter Bratt, actor Benjamin Bratt, Talisa Soto, Erika Alexander and Jeremy Ray Valdez; Whoopi Goldberg, recording artist Frank Negron, director Franc Reyes "The Ministers," (in theaters October 16, 2009), and many others.

2009 New York International Latino Film Festival runs from July 28 - August 2, 2009 in the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas (260 West 23 St.), School of Visual Arts (SVA) Theatre (333 West 23 St.), and the Columbia Alumni Hall (650 West 168 St. at Fort Washington Ave.). NYILFF09 theatre box office located at the Clearview Chelsea Cinemas. For full schedule lineup or to purchase tickets online, please visit: http://www.NYLatinoFilm.com.