Aris Mejías: A Luminary of Puerto Rican Cinema Shines at PHLAFF 2025
As PHLAFF 2025 ushers in another vibrant season of Latinx cinema, few names resonate with as much artistic depth and cultural significance as Aris Mejías. A longtime friend of the festival and a dynamic force in Puerto Rican film and theatre, Mejías returns to this year’s program with not one, but three powerful films that highlight her strength as an actress and her commitment to authentic, resonant storytelling.
A Career Forged in Fire and Imagination
Aris Mejías’s career spans over 20 years, marked by fearless performances and an unwavering dedication to her craft. Her early training in theatre laid a foundation for a body of work that has consistently challenged boundaries and embraced emotional complexity. From roles in Cayo (2005), Steven Soderbergh’s Che (2008), and The Vessel (2016) with Martin Sheen, to her bilingual fluency and success across both Puerto Rican and international screens, Mejías has carved out a space where vulnerability and strength meet.
Beyond film, Mejías is also a fashion designer and sustainability advocate, running Skin Onion, her eco-conscious label. Whether on screen or through design, her work remains deeply tied to storytelling and cultural identity.
A Triumphant Return to PHLAFF
This year, Mejías stars in three standout films featured during PHLAFF 2025’s Week Uno lineup:
🌟 Capetillo (Puerto Rico) — Saturday, May 31, 6:30–8:30 PM
Fleisher Art Memorial | Week Uno Closing Program
In Capetillo, directed by Antonio Asencio, Mejías embodies Luisa Capetillo, Puerto Rico’s trailblazing feminist and labor activist. Set in 1912, the short film dramatizes Capetillo’s decision to wear men’s trousers to work—an act that made headlines and sparked controversy across the island. Mejías brings fierce emotional depth to the role, painting a portrait of a woman who stood courageously against convention.
🌟 Bella (Puerto Rico) — Saturday, May 31, 6:30–8:30 PM
Fleisher Art Memorial | Week Uno Closing Program
In Bella, directed by Amanda L. Andrades, Mejías stars as Marena, a woman contending with the lingering pain of a recent breakup and the transformative power of self-rediscovery. Anchored by Mejías’s deeply intimate performance, Bella is a moving exploration of grief, motherhood, and liberation.
🌟 Asterion: or, (if you mess with the bull…) (Puerto Rico) — Thursday, May 29 at PhillyCAM
Part of the Assorted Shorts Block
Directed by Alejandro D. Orengo Colón, this short reimagines Jorge Luis Borges’ myth of the Minotaur through a contemporary lens. Mejías portrays Clara, a character ensnared in a labyrinth of societal expectations and personal truths. The film pulses with philosophical undertones, and Mejías’s portrayal adds a visceral human element to its surreal narrative.
A Retrospective Worthy of a Legacy
Mejías’s enduring impact will also be honored this year through "Retrospective: Aris Mejías – 15 Years of Short Films", presented by the Film Department of the Escuela de Artes Plásticas de Puerto Rico. This carefully curated compilation spans over a decade of performances, tracing the arc of her growth as a performer and the emotional landscapes she’s helped build. Following the screening, a Q&A and analysis session will offer viewers insight into the emotional precision and creative vision that define Mejías’s work.
More Lineup Additions to Come
Bella and Capetillo are part of PHLAFF 2025’s lineup additions, a special selection of standout works that close out Week Uno on Saturday, May 31st at Fleisher Art Memorial from 6:30–8:30 PM. These curated screenings are designed to spotlight powerful voices and exceptional storytelling within Latinx cinema. But this is only the beginning: more lineup additions will be featured in the upcoming weeks of the festival, continuing to unfold across our multi-week program.
A Festival and an Artist Aligned
For years, Aris Mejías has been more than a guest at PHLAFF—she’s been a friend, a conversation-starter, and an ambassador for the richness of Puerto Rican storytelling. She’s worked with us in the past as well as a collaborator of our Q&As and her Behind The Scenes series, and her continued commitment to elevating local stories reflects Mejías’ intent in representing the very essence of what PHLAFF stands for.
This year’s films are not just selections in a festival program; they are testimonies to her talent, her voice, and her place in the canon of Puerto Rican and Latinx cinema. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness her artistry on screen and celebrate the stories that connect us all.
🎟️ PHLAFF 2025 Week Uno runs from May 25–31. For full programming, schedules, and ticket info, visit phlaff.org.
