Starting today, The 9th Annual New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF), presented by HBO, gets rolling with films and events, featuring over 100 national and international films, documentaries and shorts. An estimated audience of over 25,000 is expected to come out and enjoy the work of some of the most acclaimed and sought-after Latino talent in the industry.

Opening this year's festival is 'AMERICAN SON', directed by Neil Abramson and starring Nick Cannon, Melonie Diaz and Jay Hernandez. Fresh, vital and unflinchingly true, 'American Son' is a snapshot of a nation, a culture, and the moment when the last vestiges of childhood collide with the first tremulous steps into adulthood. AMERICAN SON is presented by Suzuki Auto.

Based on the story by Neil Abramson, A 19-year old (Cannon) who has enlisted to go to Iraq falls in love with a girl, but is afraid of not coming back alive.

The festival runs from July 22 - 27, 2008, at the following venues: Clearview Cinemas (1871 Broadway at 62nd St.), Directors Guild of America Theater (110 W. 57th St., bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), Fordham University: Lincoln Center Campus (113 W. 60th St. bet. 9th & 10th Aves.), Helen Mills Theatre (137-139 W. 26th St. bet. 6th & 7th Aves.), ImaginAsian Theater (239 E. 59th Street), QUAD Cinemas (34 W. 13th St., bet. 5th & 6th Aves.), Thomas Jefferson Park (2180 First Ave. bet. 112th & 114th Sts.). Panels take place at HBO (1100 Ave. of Americas bet. 42nd & 43rd Sts.) and Showbiz Software (19 W. 21st St. bet. Broadway and 6th Ave.) Tickets are currently available at the festival's box office (Sunshine Suites, 12 Debrosses Street b/w Hudson and Greenwich Sts.) and the festival's web site: www.NYLatinoFilm.com.