2026 Philadelphia Latino Arts & Film Festival: Doc. Through Perspective Block
Doc. Through Perspective Block (88 minutes) - TIX
Five documentary docuemntary shorts!
- Needle and Light: Victoria Villasana
- The Last Puestero
- Nail Tech: Portrait of an Artist
- Zelzin, huellas que inspiran
- Somos Cumbia, Somos Familia
Nail Tech: Portrait of an Artist
Nail Tech: Portrait of an Artist (2025) explores the life and cultural impact of Miami Florida-based nail artist Kro Vargas, whose trend-setting designs have graced the pages of Vogue and the fingertips of major musical artists like Ice Spice and Ivy Queen. The film also explores the friendships and salons that have shaped Vargas’s career, like Optima Lite and Spring with Friends. The documentary highlights how nail art is a meaningful form of cultural expression. Telling the story of nail techs is telling a history of style, migration, and women’s entrepreneurship in Miami.
Needle and Light: Victoria Villasana
This short documentary explores the creative process of Mexican textile artist Victoria Villasana. Her work is vibrant and emotional, with each piece telling a story through the blending of thread and monochrome photos. Victoria’s careful selection of colors, geometric shapes, and forms brings her vision to life. We delve into her sources of inspiration, the power of working with her hands, and her unique approach to art.
Somos Cumbia, Somos Familia
Colombian dancer and educator Karla Florez preserves her Colombian roots and culture through movement, storytelling and family. This documentary follows Karla as she passes down the rhythms of Cumbia to her daughters, students and community, keeping the heartbeat of Colombia alive far from home. Through her school of dance and her family bonds, Karla teaches not only the steps of tradition but the stories and values woven into them. A heartfelt exploration of heritage and dance, this documentary celebrates the legacy of a woman ensuring that culture is not just remembered, but lived.
The Last Puestero
A Gaucho in Patagonia protects cattle and tradition, as a changing world threatens the way of life he hopes to pass on to the next generation.
Zelzin, huellas que inspiran
Footprints that Inspire follows Zelzin Aketzalli, the first person from Mexico to complete the Triple Crown of Hiking, as she circumnavigates her home mountain, the Iztaccíhuatl volcano. Raised in a violent neighborhood in Mexico City, Zelzin turned adversity into strength and found purpose by hiking some of the world's most iconic trails. This intimate and visually powerful short film not only documents her return to the mountain that shaped her, but also reveals the challenges that come with being a pioneer. Zelzin shares the weight and clarity of walking for a dream few believe in. A portrait of resilience, connection with nature, and the struggle to forge paths where there are none, Footprints that Inspire is an invitation to follow our passions, even when no one else has been there.