Salsa, merengue and bachata rhythms filled the Harn Museum of Art on Sept. 11 as guests gathered for the opening night of Gainesville’s 21st Latin Film Festival.
For the next two weeks, audiences can enjoy free screenings and cultural events, conveying the festival’s mission to bring Latin American stories and voices to the Gainesville community.
Guided by the theme “Enriching Cultures, Empowering Communities,” this year’s program celebrates migration as a bridge that unites people and enriches communities, making them more vibrant and inclusive.
“This year we celebrate migration not as a loss, but as a transformation of people, places and possibilities,” said Ericka Ghersi, a 53-year-old adjunct professor at Santa Fe College and president of the Latina Women’s League, the organization behind the festival.
The Colombian flag’s yellow, blue and red stood out in the crowd as guests mingled in a mix of Spanish and English. Among them was Sirelys Valera, an 47-year-old accountant who has volunteered with the league for three years.
Valera shared that migration is a profound and often difficult journey: “I’ve been blessed, things have gone very well for me, but my story is not everyone’s story,” she said. The event lets people engage with Latin culture, she said. “We are joyful, proactive and eager to help.”
She also noted that the festival’s impact is visible in those who attend. Audiences often express surprise at the authenticity of the stories, Valera said. In a context of misinformation, every film brings closer Latin American realities to other communities, she exposed.
Marina Jordan, the 51-year-old coordinator of International Student Support and Advising at Santa Fe College, shared a similar sentiment.
“It’s an opportunity for the Latino community to connect with its roots, and for Americans to learn about our culture,” she said.
The opening night brought together people from Nicaragua, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and beyond. Laughter and conversation filled the halls as the organizers invited Gainesville residents to enjoy more than 10 events across the city in the coming days. Featured artists, scholars and directors include Mabel Valdiviezo, David David and María José Noriega.
At the end of the inaugural screening, excited chatter about future activities accompanied the audience’s exit.
In the coming weeks, the festival will host activities including a children’s festival Sept. 20 at Blount Hall Auditorium at Santa Fe College, a film screening of “Glory of the Pacific” Sept. 17 at Indoor Stage Heartwood Soundstage and a folk dance night Sept. 27 at Lyceum Concert Hall.
Contact María José Cordero at mcastillo@alligator.org. Follow her on X @marprofundo___.
María José Cordero is a contributing writer and a political scientist currently in her first year of a master’s program in Women’s Studies, Gender and Sexualities. She has a keen interest in feminist perspectives and the intersections of politics and social change. In her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities, soaking up the sun and spending time in nature.
