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‘Cruzando’ is very clear about the fact that it’s not easy to make the journey from Texas to Mexico.

THE RUNDOWN

WHAT: San Antonio Film Festival

WHEN: Thursday, June 25-Sunday, June 28; festival kicks off at 2 p.m. Thursday and
concludes at 11 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Instituto Cultural de México, 600 HemisFair Park

HOW MUCH: $10 for daytime screenings; $15 for evening screenings

INFO: www.safilm.com

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The San Antonio Film Festival is celebrating its quinceañera this summer with expanded offerings, free workshops and a lineup of 100 films. The four-day festival runs June 25-28 at the Instituto Cultural de México in HemisFair Park. Day and evening screenings take place daily on two screens. Started in 1994 by Adam Rocha, the San Antonio Film Festival is now in its 15th year, and the Jefferson High School film teacher is still at its helm. One thing Rocha has not wanted to change is the “mom and pop feel” that reflects the event’s goal to nurture young filmmakers’ talent. Free workshops have become a festival staple, and student films are regularly chosen as part of the lineup. Here are some highlights:

Thursday, June 25

‘Lalo’ (New York)
Daniel Maldonado directed this comedy short about a New York City delivery worker who’s given one last assignment to save his job. 12 minutes. Screens between 2-5 p.m.

‘Cumbia Callera’ (Mexico)
In this drama by René Villarreal, three teenagers are caught up in a love triangle in Monterrey, Mexico. 94 minutes. Screens between 7-11 p.m.

Friday, June 26

‘The Other Side of Immigration’ (Austin)
This documentary by Roy Germano takes a look at immigration from the perspective of people staying behind in rural Mexico. 57 minutes. Screens between 2-5 p.m.

‘Without Papers’ (Los Angeles)
Florencia Krochik directed this documentary, which chronicles the lives of two undocumented students attending college in the United States. 14 minutes. Screens between 6-11 p.m.

Saturday, June 27

‘El Corrido’ (San Antonio)
University of the Incarnate Word student Donnie Meals directed this documentary that examines the Mexican storytelling music form known as corridos. 56 minutes. Screens between 6-11 p.m.

‘Cruzando’ (San Antonio)
Michael Escamilla and Mando Alvarado directed this feature film that tells the story of a man’s journey to Texas from Mexico and the family drama, mistaken identities and life-threatening dangers he experiences along the way. 95 minutes. Screens between 6-11 p.m.

Sunday, June 28

‘Desdemona’ (San Antonio)
This feature film by Phillip Guzman tells the tragic story of a man forced to leave the girl he loves behind in Mexico for life in the U.S. 89 minutes. Screens between 5-10 p.m.

‘Dot.Com’ (Portugal)
Luís Galvão Teles directed this film about residents of a village in Portugal who must decide whether to fight for the trademark rights to a Web site bearing the village’s name. 103 minutes. Screens between 5-10 p.m.

Melissa Rentería | 210SA contributor