From Film to Immersive Experiences — PHLAFF 2026 Week Cuatro Recap!
Four weeks down, two to go! We’re more than halfway through our Los Quince season, and it’s been a party so far. Before we head into an exciting week of events ahead, we’re looking back at our moments in Week Cuatro.
Libertad at Vox Populi
We kicked off our in-person programming this week at Vox Populi. Libertad (United States/Mexico, 2025), directed by Brenda Avila-Hanna, is a LOLA Award-nominated docu-animation film. After surviving a near-fatal assault, an indigenous, transgender teen escaped Mexico 30 years ago, eventually becoming a trans healthcare provider in California. However, when her mother’s health starts to decline back in Mexico, she risks it all by petitioning for asylum as her only chance of seeing each other again before it’s too late. Alejandra’s story as an indigenous transgender woman on a lifelong quest for a safe place to call home is told through a combination of slice-of-life moments shot over the course of seven years with animated sequences based on Alejandra’s original artwork, resulting in a powerful documentary that doubly serves as an intimate portrait and a beacon of hope and community solidarity.
While this feature film screening concluded our programs at Vox Populi this season, PHLAFF is grateful to have shared the space with the Vox team!
A Special Collaboration with La Respuesta
For those in Santurce, Puerto Rico, last weekend, we were excited to be a part of an exciting collaboration with La Respuesta and El Laberinto del Coco’s Family!
The event celebrated the 30-year career of Ángel Papote Alvarado and his Grupo Esencia, straight from the La Cuarta neighborhood in Ponce. Featuring DJ Watusi & Grupo Esencia, we were glad to have the opportunity to dance, sing, and celebrate Latine culture on a unique night of Puerto Rican plena.
El Colmado del Futuro Live Experience!
June 20th kicked off the first of several live environmental performances for El Colmado del Futuro. Rooted in Dominican and Afro-Caribbean traditions, this installation blends projection mapping, motion sensors, soundscapes, and scent to explore how automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping everyday spaces. As visitors move through the experience, the space “glitches” between real and virtual worlds, inviting reflection on the future of connection and culture.
This live performance aspect of the performance, like the main installation, is free to the public. Audiences can stop by and enjoy El Colmado del Futuro through July 26th. Learn more about the installation in our recent Los News highlight!
Virtual Programming and GRIOT Continue!
Two more weeks of PHLAFF means three more weeks of virtual programming! Check out our schedule to learn more about our weekly offerings. Virtual programming blocks run weekly from Sunday to Saturday.
Our special programming offering with PhillyCAM, GRIOT 2124, also continues every Sunday at 1:30 PM EST until July 19th. GRIOT 2124 is a project of Tiznando El País funded by La Alianza de Museos de Puerto Rico. The television series, featuring Welmo Romero Joseph, explores Afro-Puerto Rican culture and visual arts through the lens of a future where racism has been eliminated. Tune into PhillyCAM on the following channels to check out the series:
Comcast Xfinity — Channels 66/966/967
Verizon Fios — 29/30
Or, you can check out the series online at https://phillycam.org/Live-TV
We’ve still got two more weeks and plenty of exciting programs to come in PHLAFF 2026! In Week Cinco, we have screenings and events with Raul Romero and Art Philly, The Rail Park, Taller Puertorriqueño, Termite TV (at Cherry Street Pier), Puentes de Salud, and so much more in between. Check out our full schedule and secure your tickets for events in our final two weeks here.
We can’t wait to see you there!
