AWAKENING / Art & Culture Announces the 6th Latin-American Film and Heritage Festival

Festival will showcase Latin American culture and social awareness through award winning films and documentaries.

ORLANDO, FL - January 22, 2010 - Premiere Fashion Square 14. In the spirit of diversity, inclusion and community building, AWAKENING/ Art & Culture, a nonprofit organization that promotes initiatives in the arts, education, filmmaking and sustainability, announced today the 6th Annual Orlando Latin-American Film and Heritage Festival (OLAFest). OLAFest will connect audiences to the authentic essence of places and people, deepening understanding of Latin America and its cultures. The Festival will feature award-winning films and documentaries, work of Latin American film makers, and performances by local musicians and dancers.

This year, the films will be shown at the all-digital PREMIERE FASHION SQUARE 14, the Bush Theatre at Rollins College and other local community venues from February 12, 2010 to February 14, 2010.

City of Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is a main sponsor of the event. "The Latin American film industry is an integral part of our City's economic diversity and we recognize the important role film festivals play in bringing this medium to the masses and also in providing networking opportunities for filmmakers", expressed Mr. Dyer in a public announcement.

The festival will showcase many great films including "Acts of Mercy" by University of Central Florida graduate and filmmaker Laura Lopez. OLA Fest also brings in OLA 21, a provocative program on sustainable agriculture, economic and environmental justice, water consciousness and urban design. OLA 21 is a journey for the cultural curious about new perspectives and ideas on sustainability. The program will provide a series of renowned speakers on sustainability and new urban design and will take place at the Bush Theatre at Rollins College on Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2010.

"The purpose of the festival is to bring social awareness through film, the most influential audiovisual medium of our time", said Nelson Betancourt, founder and executive director of OLA Fest. "It has already created lots of interest in the community. With the availability of Facebook and other electronic social networks, we expect to attract new audiences to the festival."

For more information about OLA Fest and OLA 21, film screenings and event dates, please visit the official webpage at: OLA FEST. Tickets are $5 and some events are free to the public.

AWAKENING/ART & CULTURE is a fifteen year old 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that develops, integrates and promotes initiatives in the arts, education, filmmaking and sustainability. We seek to build human and social capital by fostering the artistic, civic, ecological and economic well-being of people and community in Greater Orlando.