April 25th & 26th
MAFTF 2026, MAFTF’s Opening Ceremony & The Illustrious awards
Click on the logos to learn more about the festival & award ceremonies
MAFTF 2026 SPECIAL AWARD RECEPIENTS
MAFTF's Illustrious Award for Trailblazer Excellence in Acting
MAFTF's Illustrious Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acting
MAFTF's Illustrious Award for Lifetime Achievement
AWARD CEREMONY PRESENTERS
LINDA YVETTE CHAVEZ
Writer, Producer, & Director
JOSEFINA LOPEZ
Playwright and Screenwriter
VALERIA MALDONADO
Actress, Producer, and Writer
🎞️MAFTF 2026 Official Selections🎞️
20 Pounds to Happiness
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A Fight for Change
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All We Have
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CEREBRAL
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Cholita Takes LA
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Dark Night
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Efflorescence
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El Clavito
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El Esqueleto
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Encuentro Americano
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ENSEÑAME COMO MORIR
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Everything you Need is Down Here
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Fish Out of Town
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From Mexico To Vietnam: A Chicano Story
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Glimmer
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Gloria
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GO LIVE
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Hangtown
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La Bruja
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La Estrella
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Lessons Learned in Cotulla
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20 Pounds to Happiness 〰️ A Fight for Change 〰️ All We Have 〰️ CEREBRAL 〰️ Cholita Takes LA 〰️ Dark Night 〰️ Efflorescence 〰️ El Clavito 〰️ El Esqueleto 〰️ Encuentro Americano 〰️ ENSEÑAME COMO MORIR 〰️ Everything you Need is Down Here 〰️ Fish Out of Town 〰️ From Mexico To Vietnam: A Chicano Story 〰️ Glimmer 〰️ Gloria 〰️ GO LIVE 〰️ Hangtown 〰️ La Bruja 〰️ La Estrella 〰️ Lessons Learned in Cotulla 〰️
Los Tejanos: A 500-year History
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Luz De La Luna
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Made in America
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Mean Goals
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Only Here A Little Longer
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Os Pido Posada
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Pocha
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Que Suene La Banda
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Real Enough
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Red Onion
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Roxy & The Man
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Sabrina
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The PRODUCT
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The Trade
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The Vote
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There's A Devil Inside Me
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This Moment
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Trending
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Virgin Whore Mother
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Zero Tolerance
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Los Tejanos: A 500-year History 〰️ Luz De La Luna 〰️ Made in America 〰️ Mean Goals 〰️ Only Here A Little Longer 〰️ Os Pido Posada 〰️ Pocha 〰️ Que Suene La Banda 〰️ Real Enough 〰️ Red Onion 〰️ Roxy & The Man 〰️ Sabrina 〰️ The PRODUCT 〰️ The Trade 〰️ The Vote 〰️ There's A Devil Inside Me 〰️ This Moment 〰️ Trending 〰️ Virgin Whore Mother 〰️ Zero Tolerance 〰️
MAFTF is more than just the premier festival representing the 40 million Americans of Mexican descent; it's a two-day celebration of our culture and artists. It's where Mexican-American and Latino film & television makers come together to interact, collaborate, network, and find like-minded partners. It's a platform where industry leaders connect with authentic storytellers.
On April 25th and 26th, 2026, the Mexican-American Cultural Education Foundation (MACEF), a 501(c)3, will hold its 5th annual Mexican-American Film and Television Festival & Awards.
“As we announce the 2026 edition of the Mexican-American Film and Television Festival, I am reminded that storytelling is not just art, it is survival. In a time of growing adversity and distorted narratives about Latino communities, our stories must be told to assert our truth, resilience, and humanity. I am excited to see the films that will emerge from this moment, and I invite all filmmakers to join us on this journey.” – Dr. Jose-Luis Ruiz [MACEF Director]
maftf’s first opening ceremony
Date: April 25th, 2026 award ceremony start time: 6Pm
For the first time ever, we will be having two award ceremonies! Join us at Milagro Cinemas as we award Special Award Recipients Felix Alcala and Alicia Fernandez. See the full list here
We will also be awarding the winner of the following categories:
Best Casting Director
Best Cinematographer
Best Screenplay
Best Composer
The Illustrious Award Ceremony
Date: April 26th, 2026 award ceremony start time: 7Pm
For the first time ever, we will be having two award ceremonies! Join us at Harmony Gold Theater as we award Special Award Recipients Enrique Castillo, Mishel Prada, Annie Gonzalez, and more. See the full list here
We will also be awarding the winner of the following categories:
Best Feature Film
Best Short FIlm
Best Documentary
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Micro Drama Vertical