The 2007 Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival takes place in Hollywood on October 13 and 14.

Hollywood, CA (October 8, 2007). The 11th annual edition of the Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival will take place on October 13 and 14 in Hollywood, California. The festival features a new location, new media partners, new initiatives and alignment with the Los Angeles Latino International Latino Film Festival, 2007.

This year’s event will take place on Vine Street between Sunset Boulevard and Selma Avenue, in Hollywood, CA. The Hollywood Walk of Fame sidewalk, with its stars saluting the top names in all entertainment fields, parallels the Festival’s frontage on Vine Street and the Hollywood and Vine Metro station is mere blocks away.

The impressive list of authors scheduled to appear include: Univision News Anchor Teresa Rodriguez, Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, Jose Ramirez, Ana Cristina Reymundo, Carolina Valencia, Mabel Katz, Isabel Cruz, Joe Cepeda, Reyna Grande, Monica Moore, Melissa de la Cruz, Lucia De Garcia and many more.

The event features a tribute to last year’s Walk-outs featuring Edward James Olmos, local politicians, student leaders of the Walk-outs in L.A. & Dallas and cast members from Mr. Olmos’ movie of the same name.

Also new this year, an immigration forum will take place Saturday afternoon on the Farmer Insurance Festival Stage featuring participants with opposing views on the hot topic of the moment. Guest scheduled to appear: Janet Murguia, President of NCLR; Hector M. Flores, immediate past President – LULAC; Dr. Juan Hernandez and auhtor Margaret Donnelly. Also invited but yet to confirm: Los Angels Mayor Antonio Villagorosa, Ruben Navarette, national syndicated columnist/CNN commentator, Rev. Al Sharpton and presidential candidate: Senator Barack Obama.

Immediately following the Immigration panel, ¡Si se puede! a panel featuring successful Latina entrepreneurs that will speak on the challenges they encountered on the way to success. The presentation showcases a positive aspect of the contributions of Latinos to the US society and economy, while at the same time encouraging Latinas to succeed in business. The panelist include author Maria de Lourdes Sobrino with her recently released book Thriving Latina Entrepreneurs in America and some of the Latina business women featured in the book.

The 2007 Los Angeles LBFF will feature a tribute to Celia Cruz in music and books. The festival grounds will have 3 stages. The Farmers Insurance Festival Stage will be home to the forums, seminars and special guest authors. The WaMu Cultural Stage will feature the Folklorico Challenge USA Southern California regional competition with over 25 Folklorico dance groups participating. The Family Stage, with its footprint on the historic intersection of Sunset & Vine will feature singers, musicians and poets in an intimate setting.

The Los Angeles Latino Book & Family Festival is free to the public thanks to the support of the presenting sponsors: Farmers Insurance and WaMu. Other sponsors include: Dimetapp, Osram Sylvania, Juicy Juice, Party Lite, the Los Angeles Times, Ford’s “Warriors in Pink”, Hoy, Continental Airlines, CVS Pharmacies, Tu Ciudad Magazine, AIM Tel-A Vision and Pacific Oaks College.

For more information see www.lbff.us For media accreditations, a schedule of activities, interviews and other resources for the media, please contact us.