Story Ave

Opening Night Film and Reception

Presented by Kino Lorber

Directed by: Aristotle Torres
Written by: Aristotle Torres, Bonsu Thompson
Produced by: Jamie Foxx, Lizzie Shapiro, Aristotle Torres, Datari Turner
Cast: Asante Blackk, Luis Guzmán, Melvin Gregg, Coral Pena

This year’s New York Latino Film Festival opens with a cinematic ode to the Bronx– the masterfully-shot backdrop to Aristotle Torres’ feature-film debut about a talented teenage graffiti artist who finds himself at a coming-of-age crossroads. A story that feels both familiar and fresh, the poignant drama had its world premiere at this year’s SXSW, where it took home the Special Jury Award for Best Cinematography.

South Bronx native Kadir Grayson is a talented teen artist on the brink of finding and losing himself at once. Blinded by the grief of his younger brother’s passing, Kadir runs away from home. He escapes via the beautifully dark and dangerous world of graffiti. His “graf gang,” Outside The Lines, consists of street kids with minds as criminal as they are artistic. Desperate to join the gang, Kadir attempts to rob Luis, an older Puerto Rican MTA conductor on the Story Ave subway platform. Luis offers him the cash he needs if Kadir agrees to have a meal with him. For the first time in his life, Kadir entertains the possibility of his artistic talent being a conduit to a better life.