This summer, forget about superhero Hollywood blockbusters for a moment.

Instead, there will be plenty of Latino cinema in San Diego thanks to a local non-profit organization that promotes the work of up and coming filmmakers.

Media Arts Center San Diego, the organization behind the annual San Diego Latino Film Festival, is having its call for entries of films and videos for next year’s festival, which is scheduled for March 13 through 23 at the Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley at Hazard Center.

Festival organizers are encouraging filmmakers to submit their entries as soon as possible, to take advantage of discounted entry fees.

“The SDLFF has a long standing tradition of supporting Latino filmmakers from all over the country, giving them a platform for their artistic endeavors,” said Glenn Heath Jr., exhibitions coordinator for the film festival.

With more than 20,000 film lovers in attendance in this year’s festival, the San Diego Latino Film Festival has become an annual tradition in the county, and it is considered one of the major Latino film festivals in the United States.

“Film festivals are still one of the greatest ways to promote your work to a mass audience,” Heath said. “They provide the necessary structure and support for a filmmaker to engage with the audience and other professionals in a meaningful way.”

Each year, the film festival receives more than 800 entries, for a final selection of around 150.

“We encourage all types of filmmakers (narrative, documentary, experimental, animation) to submit their work in order to ensure a variety of films from all over the world,” he said.

Organizers are seeking innovative works that are by, about or for the Latino community. They have to been completed in 2013 and 2014.

Work previously exhibited in the San Diego-Tijuana Border Region – whether theatrically at another local festival or broadcast on television, – is not eligible to apply.

A panel of distinguished curators from the San Diego and Tijuana community will select the films and videos to be screened during the “Official Selection” of the festival.

All entries will be pre-screened for eligibility by curators, however, not all entries will be programmed. Films must be submitted with English subtitles if the dialogue is in a language other than English.

“The selection process is the beginning of nearly a year long experience of bringing the festival to life,” Heath said. “I’m excited to get started.”

The Media Arts Center is also having a mini Latino film festival called “Éxitos del Cine Latino” from August 23 to 29 at the Digiplex Mission Valley Cinemas and Digital Gym Cinema in North Park.

The mini-festival will celebrate the best of new Latino cinema that will be making their San Diego premiere.

Among the films featured are “Ciudadano Buelna,” “Las aventuras de Tadeo Jones,” and “Aquí entre nos,” from Mexico; “Viola,” from Argentina; and “El Cartel de los Sapos,” from Colombia; among others.

“We had considered all of these films for the main festival, but because of scheduling reasons we couldn’t present them,” said Martha Cardona, public relations coordinator for the Media Arts Center San Diego. “It gives us an opportunity to share with San Diego and Tijuana these wonderful films, rich culture, and beautiful art.”

To learn more about the San Diego Latino Film Festival call for entries, and for a complete schedule of “Éxitos del Cine Latino,” please visit www.sdlatinofilm.com.