The Guadalajara Film Festival in Los Angeles (GLAFF) marks its 15th edition November 6–8, 2025, presenting an inclusive and globally minded lineup of films from Latin America and the United States. The festival continues its mission of showcasing boundary-pushing storytelling and fostering cultural exchange, with 55% of this year’s official selection directed by women and featuring filmmakers representing Latinx, Black, Asian-American, Indigenous, Queer, Filipino, and Arab voices.
Opening the festival is Guillermo del Toro’s long-awaited adaptation of Frankenstein. A native of Guadalajara, del Toro returns to Mary Shelley’s gothic classic with a cast that includes Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, and Christoph Waltz. The film screens November 6 at the United Theater in downtown Los Angeles before debuting globally on Netflix November 7.
GLAFF will close on November 8 with the Los Angeles premiere of Move Ya Body: The Birth of House, directed by Elegance Bratton and executive produced by Roger Ross Williams. The documentary explores the origins and cultural rise of House music from Chicago’s underground clubs to its worldwide influence. The film screens at the Linwood Dunn Theater at the Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study.
Festival highlights include Olmo from director Fernando Eimbcke, a bilingual coming-of-age film produced by Plan B’s Jeremy Kleiner and Dede Gardner alongside Eréndira Núñez Larios and Michel Franco, with Brad Pitt as executive producer. Mayra Hermosillo’s Vainilla, which premiered at Venice, will make its U.S. debut at GLAFF, portraying an intimate story of generational resilience in 1980s Mexico.
Two episodes from the Netflix docuseries Juan Gabriel: Debo, Puedo y Quiero, directed by María José Cuevas, will also screen, celebrating the life and legacy of the beloved Mexican singer-songwriter Juan Gabriel.
The 2025 program further includes a multicultural array of acclaimed titles fresh from international festivals, showcasing talent that is redefining contemporary storytelling:
- KITES (PIPAS) directed by Walter Thompson-Hernandez – A 25-year-old Rio gangster named Duvo seeks redemption through conversations with his guardian angel in this magical realist tale of life in the favelas. CAST Daniel Fernando do Prado Dorea Lima Phil. West Coast Premiere.
- TWELVE MOONS (DOCE LUNAS) directed by Victoria Franco – After a devastating loss, Sofia, a 40-year-old architect must navigate through her complex emotions while trying to stay true to herself. As she struggles with her fertility and identity as a woman, both her personal and professional life begin to deteriorate forcing her to look inward to find the light that will lead her forward. Stars Ana de la Reguera and Enrique Arreola. West Coast Premiere.
- FORGE directed by Jing Ai Ng – Siblings Raymond and Coco Zhang run a forgery ring. Coerced by a disgraced millionaire, they create counterfeit masterpieces for his family’s collection. FBI agent Emily Lee investigates a new string of art forgeries. LA Premiere.
- MOLUSCO directed by Mauricio Bidault – In times when humor and freedom of speech are under siege we have no choice but to bite the bullet and fight back with laughter. International Premiere.
- ESTA ISLA directed by Lorraine Jones Molina & Cristian Carretero.Follows two young lovers from different social circles flee and seek shelter deep within the labyrinthine mountains of Puerto Rico, biding their time to evade peril.
- THE GREAT HISTORY OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY directed by the late Aria Covamonas – A cosmic animator is hired by the Central Committee of the People’s Republic to realize a philosophical film under the gaze of Chairman Mao who is displeased and sentences them to death right at the start. This is a special tribute to the late maverick. U.S. Premiere
- DEPECHE MODE: M directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra – A cinematic journey into the heart of Mexican culture’s relationship with death, framed by the iconic performances of Depeche Mode during their 2023 Memento Mori tour. Special Screening.
Additional titles include Kites from Walter Thompson-Hernandez, Twelve Moons by Victoria Franco, Forge from Jing Ai Ng, and Molusco by Mauricio Bidault. The festival will also feature a robust lineup of shorts, including She Raised Me starring Rosie O’Donnell and Thin Places by Britt Hensel.
“As we celebrate our ‘Quinceañera,’ we reflect on the bonds we’ve built over these fifteen years that remind us of the importance of coming together as a community,” said Festival Director Ximena Urrutia.
The 15th edition of GLAFF will host red-carpet premieres, industry panels, and special events throughout Los Angeles. For tickets, passes, and the full schedule, visit glaff.org
