The festival helped pave the way for diverse groups and cultures in the film industry.

[2][3] In 2000, they received over 5,000 attendees[4] and in 2002, van Thillo said the festival really came together with help from participants and media outlets that visit from Tijuana.

[6] Each year, a competition is held with different posters to decide which one will represent the festival.

[7] By 2011, the Premio Corazon Award was designed by Lizet Benrey[8] and the festival's 12th annual Cinema En Tu Idioma, a series of films, had a one week run at Ultrastar Mission Valley Cinemas near Hazard Center station.

[9] In 2023, the 30th anniversary festival took place at AMC Theatres at Westfield Mission Valley and Digital Gym Cinema.