Going Varsity in Mariachi

Thanks to our opening night sponsor, The International Mariachi Conference!

We have reached the pre-sale limit for this screening. All remaining tickets will be available to purchase at the box office 20 minutes before the screening time.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY!
Wednesday, October 11 at 5:00PM

Who’s invited: Loft Film Fest Badge Holders and everyone with a ticket for opening night!

Join us on The Loft Cinema patio for our Opening Night Party, kicking off at 5:00PM. Enjoy delicious food from Sito’s Fresh Market! Toast the opening of the Loft Film Fest with a free glass of champagne! The Mariachis from Pueblo High School and Davis Elementary will be performing in Screen 1 starting at 6:00PM, and the documentary film Going Varsity in Mariachi will screen at 7:00PM!

With Emcee Mario Celis! Mario has been the Master of Ceremonies for the International Mariachi Conference since 1980. A long time advocate for students of mariachi, and a familiar voice on the radio. Mario was inducted into the Mariachi Hall of Fame in 2010.

Winner!  Editing Award Sundance 2023

In a South Texas high school auditorium, trumpets ring out, thick guitarrón strings thrum, and violin bow hairs snap and swing wildly through the air. This is the world of competitive scholastic mariachi. This energetic documentary captures the highs and lows of Edinburg North High School’s Mariachi Oro as a green team strives for the state championship. With tough love, finely tuned empathy, and a fiery passion for the music, coach Abel Acuña guides the varsity band through a steep competition season and a fraught year in their adolescent lives. Team captains Abby, Marlena, and Bella prove the value of the skills taught in the band room as they navigate life’s challenges on and off the stage with grace, immutable work ethic, and total charm. (Dir. by Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, 2023, United States, English, 105 mins., Not Rated)

Other festivals: Sundance, SXSW, True/False