London Latino Film Festival launches 2 October 2026 with Acosta and Martínez
Cuban actress Ketty Rodriguez founds event after moving to London, citing underrepresentation of Latin American cinema
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The London Latino Film Festival will open on 2 October 2026 at the Barbican Centre, marking the first edition of an event dedicated to Latin American cinema in the capital. Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, Argentine actor Óscar Martínez and Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría will attend screenings and participate in question-and-answer sessions with audiences.
A separate exhibition of Cuban film posters will precede the festival, running from 28 September for three weeks at Eclectic Gallery in London. The posters, hand-printed in Havana by Cuba’s national film institute, are stamped and produced exclusively for the event. Proceeds from sales will support the festival and Cuban cultural initiatives.
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Founder cites lack of Latin American representation
The festival was founded by Ketty Rodriguez, a Cuban actress who moved to London in May 2025. Rodriguez told the BBC she was struck by the scarcity of Latin American cultural events in the city. "I couldn’t find my people," she said. "Europe has an incredible art scene and a rich, cinematic past, yet very few people know about Latin cinema."
Rodriguez said she assembled a team and secured funding within three months of arriving in London. The festival has received hundreds of submissions, including feature films, documentaries, animations and short films. Organisers have not disclosed the total number of screenings or events.
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Masterclasses and dance classes included
The programme includes three masterclasses at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Carlos Acosta will appear alongside a screening of *Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story*, a 2018 film about his childhood in Havana. Dance classes will also be held, though the festival has not specified the styles or instructors.
London’s Latin American population estimated at 187,800
An analysis of the 2021 census by King’s College London estimates that 157,800 Latin Americans live in London. The figure rises to approximately 187,800 when including those with irregular immigration status. The census does not include a specific Latin American category, so responses were recorded under "any other ethnic group".
The festival is supported by the British Film Institute through National Lottery funding, as well as the City of London Corporation, the Cervantes Institute and several Latin American embassies. No details have been released about ticket prices or how to book.
What happens next
The Cuban film poster exhibition opens at Eclectic Gallery on 28 September 2026. The London Latino Film Festival begins on 2 October 2026 at the Barbican, with the full programme expected to be published in the coming weeks. Organisers have not announced whether the festival will become an annual event.
Questions this report answers
+Who is organising the London Latino Film Festival?
The festival was founded by Cuban actress Ketty Rodriguez, who moved to London in May 2025. Rodriguez told the BBC she wanted to address the underrepresentation of Latin American cinema in the city after struggling to find cultural events for the community.
+When and where is the festival taking place?
The London Latino Film Festival runs from 2 to 6 October 2026, opening at the Barbican Centre. A separate exhibition of Cuban film posters will be held at Eclectic Gallery from 28 September for three weeks.
+How many Latin Americans live in London?
King’s College London estimates 157,800 Latin Americans live in London based on the 2021 census. The figure rises to about 187,800 when including those with irregular immigration status, as the census does not have a specific Latin American category.
+Who is attending the festival?
Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, Argentine actor Óscar Martínez and Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría will attend screenings and hold Q&A sessions. Acosta will also appear alongside a screening of *Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story*.
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