Colombia is the focus of this weekend festival featuring 47 titles from 11 countries. Venues include NWFF, the Harvard Exit, Cinerama, and Langston Hughes Performing Art Center. Among the highlights is the documentary Celia the Queen (6 p.m. Fri. NWFF), about the legendary salsa singer. Says our Christopher Lopez: “The late Celia Cruz (1925-2003) has long been a symbol of not only Cuban culture but also what it means to be Latino in general. This documentary by Joe Cardona and Mario de Varona is the realization of a project ten years in the making. The film lays bare Cruz’s private life like none seen before. Interviews comprise individuals from all walks of life who have been influenced by the singer, from living legends such as Quincy Jones and Johnny Pacheco, of Fania fame, to Tato, a tow truck driver living in Hialeah. Celia the Queen promises to touch fans the way Cruz did — with candor and honesty.” Full schedule and info: 774-8373 and www.cineseattle.org. (NR)

Sept. 24-27, 2009