WCU Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
WCU honors the contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans
During Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, West Chester University honors the contributions and cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans with programs and activities.
One annual activity is the Global Hispanic Film Festival 2025 – Virtual Edition, which is free and open to the public (click the link to register in order to receive links to the films). All films are subtitled in English; most have exhibited at international film festivals and have won accolades or nominations.
Across five weeks, five films will address globalization, postcolonialism, social inequality, indigenous cultures, racism, sexual diversity, and the environment. Each film will be available virtually for a full week beginning each Monday between September 28 and November 2. Viewers can engage on social media. Follow social media (@cinewcu) for updates on the films and their directors: https://www.facebook.com/cinewcu.
Dr. Iliana Pagán-Teitelbaum, associate professor of languages and cultures, organizes the Global Hispanic Film Festival with Dr. Tia Malkin-Fontecchio, co-director; Madison Harkness, graduate assistant and assistant director for festival marketing and outreach; Emely Pabón, Latino American Student Organization (LASO) president and co-sponsor. For additional information on the film festival, contact Dr. Iliana Pagán-Teitelbaum.
In addition, the 18th Annual West Chester University Latino/a/x Communities Conference takes place this week through Wednesday, September 30, in Sykes Student Union. Email Dr. Linda Stevenson for details.
The virtual film festival is brought to you by the College of Arts and Humanities and the Department of Languages and Cultures in collaboration with Latin American and Latinx Studies-LALS, Latinx Communities Conference, LASO, and WCUIAA with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.
Global Hispanic Film Festival Schedule
Festival dates are Monday, September 28, through Monday, November 2. Each film will be available to view online for one week. For more information, visit the Global Hispanic Film Festival website.
September 28 - October 4
Antarctica – Domain One (Antártida - Dominio Uno). Joaquín Azulay, Julián Azulay / Argentina / 2025 / 94 min. Topics: Environment, Climate Change, Adventure. Los Gauchos del Mar are Argentine brothers, surfers, and documentary filmmakers who combine surfing, exploration, and environmental advocacy.
October 5 - October 11
A Wolf Among Swans (Um lobo entre os cisnes) Marcos Schechtman, Helena Varvaki / Brazil / 2025. Topics: Dance, Class, Race. Biographical drama about Thiago Soares, a boy from the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, who trades the rhythms of hip hop for the discipline of classical ballet.
October 12 - October 18
Artificial Justice (Justicia Artificial) Simón Casal / Spain / 2024. Topics: Technology, Ethics, Justice, AI. Political conspiracy and cyber-thriller tension combine in a behind-the-scenes story about multinational lobbies imagining a near future where AI could replace judges in the name of efficiency and neutrality.
October 19 - October 25
Finlandia (Horacio Alcalá / Mexico, Spain / 2021 / 97 min) Topics: Fashion, Gender, Trans Rights. An earthquake that shatters Oaxaca raises deeper tremors of identity, resilience, and self-expression within the community.
October 26 - November 2
Aztec Batman: Clash of Empires (Batman Azteca: Choque de Imperios) Juan Meza-León / Mexico, United States / 2025. Topics: Superhero, Resistance, Conquest. Set at the height of the Aztec Empire, this animated film delivers a bold reimagining of the Dark Knight in 16th-century Mesoamerica.