by Josefina Lopez, who co-wrote the screenplay with George LaVoo. At just 17, the film is Latina actress America Ferrera's feature debut. She stars alongside Latin-American acting legends like Lupe Ontiveros and George Lopez. The film follows a high school student named Ana who lives in Boyle Heights with her mother, father and grandfather. Ana works with her mother in a factory making designer gowns. Tension in the family rises when Ana receives a scholarship to Columbia University; she wants to accept, but her critical mother believes she should focus on settling down with a husband and beginning a family after high school. As Ana's mother Carmen continuously criticizes her choices, body and beliefs throughout the film, Ana grows in confidence and decides to deem her worth as a woman in her own way. The film is shot in a unique vignette style, with no significant plot driving the film aside from Ana's personal development. The film is praised for its lively and warm portrayal of East L.A. culture and commentaries on capitalistic class struggle. El Regalo Written and produced by Dago García and directed by Cardoso, the film stars Cesar Mora, Ella Becerra, Javier Ramirez and Margalida Castro. The Toymaker Directed and produced by Cardoso the documentary film is about Horst Damme, a blind German toymaker, who has lived in Bogotá since 1936 when he arrived with his family as refugees from Nazi-Germany. La Clave Directed by Cardoso and written by Josefina Lopez the short film tells the story of a family faced with the mental illness of their daughter. The film stars Mariana Montes, Luis Enrique, and Ivette Gonzales. The film won the First Place Drama Short for the United Latino Film Festival, a Gold CINDY Award, a Robert Townsend Social Issues Award and Merit Special Mention at The Best Shorts Competition. Meddling Mom Directed by Cardoso, written by Nina Weiman and produced by Frank Konigsberg and Patricia Clifford, Meddling Mom was the first Latino film ever made by Hallmark Channel. The film stars Sonia Braga, as Carmen Vera, a ceramics art dealer and meddling mother pursued by a charming dance professor played by Tony Plana. The film was nominated to an IMAGEN Award for Sonia Braga's strong performance. Carmen Vega is guilty of being a meddling mom. Her crimes include slipping into daughter Yolanda's home to leave behind "how-to" books on starting a family and manipulating daughter