The Rio Grande Valley has long been a hub of creative expression, where cultures from both sides of the border converge through deep-rooted artistic traditions. This rich cultural foundation has helped the region’s film community thrive.

Over the past few months, several Valley cities have been designated “film friendly” by the state of Texas. The designation has helped bring music videos, short films, feature-length movies, and commercials to locations throughout the region. For the people making those projects, CineSol Film Festival provides a place to gather, share their work, and build connections.

Founded by Evy Ledesma Galana, the festival has long celebrated Latino voices and welcomed diverse filmmakers and stories. Originally launched in 1993 as the CineSol Latino Film Festival, Latino was dropped from the name in 2005, reflecting its growth into an inclusive event featuring films and perspectives from all cultures.

“It’s a celebration of culture,” Festival Director Henry Serrato said. “We celebrate everyone.”

Now preparing for its 33rd year, CineSol has maintained a reputation as a celebration of cultural cinema and a gathering place for the community where it was founded.

Serrato remembers the earliest days of the festival. He was attending UTPA as a communications student and working there when he was asked to help set up the technology for the second festival in 1994. The following year, he joined the staff.

In 2005, Serrato screened his own film at the festival — a mockumentary about a man searching for the chupacabra — and has remained involved with the event ever since.

In 2006, Serrato was elected to the board of directors, where he took an interest in helping select films for the festival.

“Like any other film festival, we accept all kinds of films,” Serrato said. “Feature films, short films, animated, documentaries and experimental.”

CineSol is also a festival of the Valley. Since its inception, the festival has been hosted in nearly every major city in the Rio Grande Valley. For its first 10 years, it was held at the South Padre Island Convention Centre, but the festival moved after a hurricane damaged the venue.

“We’ve been everywhere in the Valley,” Serrato said. “Some years we host at Cine El Rey in McAllen. Other years in Brownsville, Harlingen, Mission, or Edinburg. It keeps us moving.”

Board member Bert Guerra has been with the festival since its first year, when he handled many of the event’s technical aspects. Today, Guerra remains involved because of the community surrounding it.

“Being from the Valley, we’re against the odds, and you don’t realize what’s special about this area until you get out of it a little bit,” Guerra said. “There’s a beauty to our tradition. There’s a reason it’s been going on so long, and that stems from a love of our culture and arts.”

In a typical year, the festival screens as many as 100 movies, although the number varies. “It all depends on where we are hosting,” Serrato said. “At Texas Southmost College in Brownsville, we can have rooms set up for all sorts of different things — but if we hold it at Cine El Rey, there’s only one screen, so we have to be a little more picky.”

This year’s festival is scheduled for December 5 and 6 at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville.

For Serrato, no matter who attends the festival or what movies are shown, the important part is the community built around it.

“One of the best reasons to come to a festival is networking,” Serrato said. “If you want to make a movie, festivals are the best place to meet people who love making movies as much as you do.”

That role has become especially relevant as more productions find their way to the Valley. Filmmakers have opportunities to work alongside visiting crews while audiences can see stories made at home. CineSol provides a bridge between those groups, bringing filmmakers, performers, and moviegoers into the same spaces.

As the community continues to thrive, CineSol Film Festival celebrates its culture and fosters an inclusive space for everyone. To learn more, visit cinesol.com.