Latino Film Festival set to open

Eighth annual event to begin on July 24

By SAM THIELMAN

On July 24, the 8th New York International Latino Film Festival will open at the Directors Guild Theater on 57th street. The opening night screening will be "Trade," a film about human trafficking produced by Roland Emmerich.

The final screening in the fest will be "El Cantante," a biopic about salsa performer Hector Lavoe starring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez. The screenings will be held throughout midtown west and the upper west side.

Panels at Tinker Auditorium will include a pitching session (admission to this event will be $5), and a discussion with Turner Broadcasting executives moderated by CNN anchor Tony Harris.