Cinema Significa…

Curated by Alessandra Fanelli and Francisco Aguilar, “Cinema Significa…” strives to celebrate Hispanic and Latin American stories. We aim to expand intercultural knowledge through dance, musical performances, movie screenings, Q/A panel sessions, and other educational components resulting from community partners.

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Donations to benefit the Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley’s Food Pantry will be accepted at Cinema Significa… screenings, including:

• Personal hygiene products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.)
• Culturally appropriate, non-perishable food items, with a special interest in seasonings (Goya brand preferred)
• Non-perishable breakfast items.
• Clothing in good condition.
• Shoes in good condition.

Alessandra Fanelli y Francisco Aguilar, curadores del “Cinema Significa…”, se esfuerzan para celebrar las historias hispanas y latinoamericanas. Queremos expandir el conocimiento intercultural a través del baile, actos musicales, proyecciones de película, intercambio entre paneles de preguntas y respuestas, y otros modos de educación para envolver a la comunidad.

Estamos aceptando donaciones de alimentos para el beneficio del Centro Hispano de Lehigh Valley a través de las proyecciones de Cinema Significa…, pueden incluir:

• Productos de higiene personal (cepillos de dientes, pasta de dientes, champú, acondicionador, jabón, etc.)
• Alimentos apropiados que reflejen la cultura y no perecederos, con un interés especial en los condimentos  (Se prefiere la marca Goya)
  
• Productos no perecederos para el desayuno
• Prendas de vestir que se encuentren en buenas condiciones
• Zapatos que están en buenas condiciones

FILMS

Curators:

Alessandra Fanelli

Alessandra Fanelli, MA (she/her) Ále is an Arts Administrator and Digital Content Creator. In addition to serving non-profit theaters in the Lehigh Valley, she has also performed on stage in local community theatre productions. She was previously the Box Office and Film Manager for Civic Theatre of Allentown. Ále graduated from West Chester University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies, with a Minor in Italian and a Concentration in Video Production, and received her Master’s in Arts Administration from Kutztown University. As a proud Peruvian-American, Ále is committed to engaging community members through the rich and diverse world of Latin and Hispanic film.

Alessandra Fanelli, MA (ella) es administradora de artes y creadora de contenido digital. Además de servir en teatros sin fines de lucro en el valle Lehigh, también ha actuado en el escenario en producciones teatrales comunitarias. Anteriormente fue la directora de taquilla y cine del Teatro “Civic” de Allentown. Ále se graduó de la Universidad de West Chester en 2016 con una licenciatura en Estudios de Comunicación, con una especialización en italiano y una concentración en producción de vídeo y recibió su maestría en Administración de Artes de la Universidad de Kutztown. Como orgullosa peruana-estadounidense,  Ále está comprometida a involucrar a los miembros de la comunidad a través del rico y diverso mundo del cine latino e hispano.

Francisco Aguilar

Francisco Aguilar is a multi-disciplinary artist whose creative journey encompasses filmmaking, photography, and writing. With a profound fascination for the interplay between everyday life, time, and memory, Aguilar explores the beauty and transience of human experiences. Through his lens, he captures fleeting moments, unravels the layers of memory, and tells stories that resonate deeply with viewers and readers alike. His films, photographs, and written works invite contemplation, evoking a sense of nostalgia, and provoking reflections on the impermanence of life. Aguilar’s artistic endeavors have been showcased in exhibitions, and film festivals, receiving recognition for their ability to intertwine visual and narrative elements in captivating ways. By delving into the intricate connections between the mundane and the profound, Aguilar seeks to illuminate the profound impact of time and memory on our perception of the world, inviting audiences to reflect, connect, and embrace the richness of the human experience.

Past Screenings

Virtual Interview with Dr. Kimberly Theidon

This virtual interview with Dr. Kimberly Theidon took place as part of our free screening of Milk of Sorrow on May 23rd, 2022, part of Cinema Significa…  The Oscar-nominated film was based on the book Entre Prójimos, written by Dr. Theidon. The interview was conducted by series co-curator Alessandra Fanelli.

Virtual Interview with Suzzette Ortiz

This virtual interview with Suzzette Ortiz took place as part of our free screening of Chico & Rita on May 8th, 2023, part of Cinema Significa… The interview was conducted by co-curator Alessandra Fanelli.

Suzzette Ortiz is a passionate pianist, composer, choral conductor, and educator, has been serving her communities with the gift of music from her humble beginnings in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, to her many recent successes as a Pennsauken, New Jersey native.