SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The 16th Annual Latino Film Festival is coming up. KRON4 had a chance to sit down with the founder as well as a film director to learn about the importance of representation in the film industry. Moviemakers and film fanatics will be filling up the Roxie Theater in San Francisco's Mission District on Oct. 11 for the annual San Francisco Latino Film Festival. "We have a film this year, it's about a ghost town in northern Mexico, and it's down to the last two people living there," said Cine+Más SF founder Lucho Ramirez. "They don't talk to each other (laughs). Funny and impactful films like 'Amor Fantasma' will be showcased during the three-week festival." The festival will be hosted by Cine+Más. Ramirez said a committee of 30 people spent months watching hundreds of films before selecting the ones that made the cut. ‘I could be doing more honestly’: Latina businesswoman hopes to expand her Austin empire "We had over 300 submissions this year and pretty much whittled it down to about 40 films," Ramirez said. "So, we show documentaries, narrative features, a whole slew of short films." Documentaries like "Prodigal Daughter" will be screened on opening night. "Prodigal Daughter" director Mabel Valdiviezo said it's about her life being an undocumented immigrant in America and reconnecting with her family in Lima, Peru. "Going back to my family meant for me that I took on this healing journey of self-discovery," Valdiviezo said. Valdiviezo came to San Francisco in 1993 with a dream of becoming a filmmaker. Now, that dream has come true. "I am so thrilled to be here. A lot of the film started here, and it ends here in the story," Valdiviezo said. "The Roxie Theater is so special to me because when I came as a young person, I used to come here to see underground films. Now, I feel like it's a complete circle in a way." Valdiviezo said her film explores the challenges she has overcome since arriving in the U.S. "When you come here and your status is not something you have control over…Then life can be…It takes a different path and it can be very difficult," Valdiviezo said. "You have to find ways to survive. At the same, time express yourself as an artist." The festival includes dozens of virtual and in-person screenings. Ramirez said these films represent most of the Latinx community, something he says needs more representation in mainstream Hollywood flicks. "In many ways, it's an inspirational thing to come to a festival where people who look like you are reflected on the screen," Ramirez said. "More importantly the talent of all the people who are involved in making these productions. In a lot of media, you don't see a lot of the Latino community reflected." While the festival begins towards the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, Valdiezo says it helps to keep important conversations going. "Latinos in Hollywood and beyond are looking for more representation in storytelling, in the arts, in every single aspect of society incorporated in technology and so forth," Valdiviezo said. "It's that we can always inspire the younger generations. It's not there yet and there is a long way to go, but it's super important to create those dialogues." The 16th San Francisco Latino Film Festival runs from Oct. 11 to Nov. 3. Screenings will be held at several locations. Tickets can be purchased HERE.