Founded in 1996 by producers Marlene Dermer and George Hernandez, and actor/director Edward James Olmos, the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) is now entering its 10th year with an exciting slate of films from the United States, Latin America, Central America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal.

When the festival first came onto the scene 10 years ago, it was a small event tacked onto Latino Heritage Month, which featured 42 distinct films. Over the years the fest has grown and now, in 2006, the festival will showcase more than 140 films (a list of which will be available soon on www.latinofilm.org), as well as a number of popular programs and workshops.

This year's fest will also award the coveted Desi Arnaz Memorial Scholarship, a grant that was first given to an aspiring filmmaker in 2002.

The Egyptian Theatre is located at 6712 Hollywood Blvd., in Hollywood. Tickets are $8 per person, per screening and $50 per person for the opening and closing gala events. VIP ticket packages are also available for purchase at the Egyptian Theatre box office. For more information, visit www.latinofilm.org.