Actress at the movies

Julia Vera, originally from Laredo, poses next to a poster this summer at the Latino Film Festival in New York City where her movie "Virgin of Juarez" was shown.

Vera has been in many, many movies, television shows and commercials since beginning acting professionally at 46. She sees plenty of potential in the blooming independent film industry and would like to develop a Laredo-based movie.

She currently resides in Los Angeles -- when not back in Texas or at other film festivals. She has attended some overseas, too.