Southsider Wins Best Actor at Official Latino Film Festival

Chicago actor Vernon Mina won Best Actor in a comedy at the Official Latino Film Festival in Palm Springs, California. He stars in the short, "The Guitar Thief," which also won the Audience Award.

Vernon Mina grew up in Back of the Yards and is of Honduran descent. He's recently received much deserved recognition for his breakout comedic performance in "The Guitar Thief." He plays Spider, a quick witted, pickpocket mentor-and his Honduran dialect is on full display.

"The Guitar Thief" was shot and takes place in Pilsen. It was written by Miguel Lepe, Jr. and produced by Scott Goldstein of Streeterville Productions. In addition to the Official Latino Film Festival, it was also notably featured at Urbanworld in New York, Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, and is still making its rounds at various festivals here in the US. The film follows two mariachi players coping with rent increases, a changing neighborhood and a stolen guitar. A majority of the cast are part of Chicago's improv scene.

Vernon is a working actor-improviser who's tested for SNL. He's part of a rotating cast of talent with The Second City and is alumni of their national touring company. He also performs at various theaters around the US. He developed his love of comedy from the films of Cantinflas, John Liguizamo's solo shows, and TV shows like "In Living Color," "MadTV'' and "The Simpsons." His comedy matured during family roast sessions with his siblings, mom and uncles. Vernon is the youngest of five to a single mother-a Honduran immigrant who owns a beauty shop on the south side.

Per Vernon, "I'm so grateful for the award and it's particularly special to me because it's recognition by the Latinx community in a comedic category. It's great to be sharing this career highlight with my family; here and in Honduras. As well as, the Chicago comedy scene and all of us hopeful Latinx artists. The hope is definitely there, and the recent wave of Latiné representation in TV & film are great examples of that."

"The Guitar Thief" is currently only being screened at festivals with hopes of distribution by a major streaming service. Trailer: https://www.streetervilleproductions.com/the-guitar-thief. Vernon's IMDB bio: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9335359/