PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Friday, August 9, 2019; United Latino Film Festival, Holiday Inn, Mentor, Ohio: Tony Mata, executive producer and director of the documentary film Theatre of Rice and Beans, a retrospective look at New York Latino Theatre which features the founders of three Latino Theaters — Miriam Colon, Rene Buch and Max Ferra. The film festival program provides this description of this feature documentary: “Theatre of Rice and Beans tells a previously untold story, about a vital piece of both New York and U.S. theatre history. More than half a century ago, scoring a many-faceted victory against racism, stereotyping, sexism, and the economic odds, René Buch, Miriam Colón and Max Ferra founded what are still New York City’s three most influential Latino playhouses: Repertorio Español, the Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, and INTAR. From then on, these pioneers provided theatrical voice for many facets of Latinx experience, and crucial room to grow for generations of Latinx theatre professionals, including some very familiar names.”

PHOTO BY CHUCK HOVEN

Friday, August 9, 2019; United Latino Film Festival, Holiday Inn, Mentor, Ohio: Ray Szuch, founder and promoter of the United Latino Film Festival, greets guests at the festival while sitting behind a display of the trophies for the award-winning films. In addition to running the film festival, Szuch is involved film production, and hosts and teaches acting and karate at his storefront on Storer Avenue.