The Georgia Latino International Film Festival (GALIFF), presented by the Georgia Latino Film Alliance (GALFA), has announced its 2026 honorees as it prepares to mark its 15th anniversary with a special event at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. The recognition of Academy Award nominee Yalitza Aparicio, actor and filmmaker Roberto Sanchez, emerging talent Leonard Najar, and rising star Sandy Hernandez underscores the festival’s growing role in elevating Latino voices in an industry where representation remains a persistent challenge.
Aparicio will receive the Pepe Serna GALFA Icon Award, honoring her cultural impact and work in film. She gained international acclaim for her debut performance as Cleo in Alfonso Cuarón’s Roma, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Her recognition carries added significance because Mexico serves as the festival’s 2026 Guest Country of Honor, connecting the anniversary celebration in Atlanta with Mexican cinema and storytelling. This alignment highlights the transnational ties that shape Latino filmmaking and the festival’s effort to bridge audiences and creators across borders.
Roberto Sanchez will receive the Pepe Serna Excellence in Filmmaking Award for his multifaceted career spanning acting, filmmaking, and production. Working both in front of and behind the camera, Sanchez reflects GALIFF’s commitment to honoring Latino artists who have built lasting careers while contributing to the growth of Latino representation in entertainment. His recognition signals that sustained creative labor—not just breakout moments—is essential to expanding opportunities for Latino professionals.
Leonard Najar will receive the Revelation of the Year Award, which spotlights an emerging talent and new voice in the industry. Sandy Hernandez will receive the Rising Star Award, recognizing an emerging artist and the promise of a new generation of Latino talent. Together, these awards reflect GALIFF’s focus on creating opportunities for audiences and industry professionals to discover emerging Latino talent alongside established artists, ensuring a continuum between generations that have expanded representation and those building upon that work.
The festival will also recognize actor, artist, mentor, and humanitarian Pepe Serna, whose career and commitment to supporting Latino artists inspired the awards that bear his name. “Pepe Serna represents the kind of excellence we want these awards to stand for,” said Dr. José Márquez, CEO and founder of the Georgia Latino Film Alliance and Georgia Latino International Film Festival. “He was a trailblazer when there was barely a road to follow. But his legacy is about more than an extraordinary career. It is about using success to create opportunity for others.”
Márquez continued, “That is what we want every recipient of a Pepe Serna Award to understand. Excellence comes with purpose and with a responsibility to leave the door wider open for the generation that follows.” That philosophy is central to GALIFF’s mission as it marks 15 years of providing a platform for Latino filmmakers and storytellers to showcase their work, connect with audiences, and develop industry relationships. Through its annual festival and year-round programming, GALFA works to expand professional and creative opportunities for Latino artists while strengthening their participation in Georgia’s film and entertainment community.
The 2026 honorees represent different stages of that journey: established artists whose careers helped expand representation, working filmmakers continuing that progress, and emerging voices preparing to shape what comes next. The anniversary celebration and festival, running September 30–October 4, 2026, in Atlanta, arrive at a moment when Latino audiences and creators are demanding greater visibility and authentic storytelling. By honoring both veterans and newcomers, GALIFF reinforces that lasting change requires not only celebrating individual achievement but also building pathways for those who follow.
