London Latino Film Festival to open at Barbican with Cuban poster exhibition
First edition runs 2 to 6 October 2026, supported by BFI and City of London
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London’s first dedicated Latin American film festival will open at the Barbican on 2 October 2026. The five-day event, running until 6 October, will feature screenings, panel discussions, and masterclasses across the City of London and Fitzrovia.
Ahead of the festival, an exhibition of hand-printed Cuban film posters will launch at Eclectic Gallery in Fitzrovia on 28 September 2026. The posters, created by Cuba’s national film institute during frequent power cuts, will remain on display for three weeks.
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
Festival highlights and community focus
The programme includes question-and-answer sessions with Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta, Argentine actor Óscar Martínez, and Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría. Acosta will attend a screening of *Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story*, a 2018 film about his childhood in Havana.
Three masterclasses will take place at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The festival will also screen family-friendly films and independent works by emerging Latin American filmmakers.
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The festival is a space for filmmakers, audiences, and communities to come together, to share stories that move us, challenge us, and remind us of how deeply connected we are through art and experience.
Ketty Rodriguez, festival co-founder
Cuban actress Ketty Rodriguez, who moved to London in May 2025, co-founded the festival. She told *The Standard* it was created to showcase Latin American voices in the capital. Co-founder Javier Torres described it as a celebration and gathering point for London’s Latin American community.
Funding and next steps
The British Film Institute is supporting the festival through National Lottery funding. The City of London and several Latin American embassies are also listed as backers. No ticket prices or booking details have been announced yet.
Residents can follow the festival’s Instagram account, @LOLAFF, for updates. The organisers have not yet confirmed whether the events will require advance registration or operate on a walk-in basis.
Questions this report answers
+When does the London Latino Film Festival take place?
The festival runs from 2 to 6 October 2026 at the Barbican. It includes screenings, Q&As, and cultural events across the City of London and Fitzrovia, with a Cuban poster exhibition opening earlier on 28 September 2026.
+Who is organising the London Latino Film Festival?
Cuban actress Ketty Rodriguez and co-founder Javier Torres are leading the festival. Rodriguez moved to London in May 2025 and described the event as a platform for Latin American voices in the capital.
+How is the festival funded?
The British Film Institute is providing National Lottery funding. The City of London and several Latin American embassies are also supporting the event, though ticket prices and booking details remain unannounced.
+What is the Cuban film poster exhibition?
The exhibition at Eclectic Gallery in Fitzrovia opens on 28 September 2026. It features hand-printed posters created by Cuba’s national film institute during power cuts, and runs for three weeks.
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