Almodóvar, Luna Films Lead AFI Latin American Fest; Chile Submits 'The Meltdown' for Oscars

The American Film Institute's Latin American Film Festival, running from September 16 to October 7, will feature Pedro Almodóvar's "Bitter Christmas" and Diego Luna's "Ashes." The festival, held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, will open with the documentary "The Match."

In parallel, Chile has selected Manuela Martelli's period mystery "The Meltdown" as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film, which premiered at Cannes, explores themes of personal and national transition.