Emporia will host its first-ever Spanish Film Festival this fall, running from Sept. 3 to Oct. 3, with screenings held at the Granada Theatre and Emporia State’s Visser Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
The month-long festival will feature five Spanish-language films, carefully chosen to represent a range of Latino communities and experiences. The festival offers both ESU and the community a chance to experience global stories through cinema.
Juan Pablo Roman Alvarado, assistant professor of Spanish and English, said the festival is more than just an opportunity to
watch movies—it is a way to open cultural doors and highlight voices that are often underrepresented on screen.
“I think first of all for students on campus, when watching foreign films you have a window to different cultures,” he said. “Watching foreign films is important for any university student.”
He also emphasized the importance of reflecting and celebrating the broader Emporia community. The festival aims to strengthen ties to Emporia’s Latino community. With a significant Spanish-speaking population in the area, the festival offers both
representation and visibility.
“It provides representation and makes the Latino community visible,” Roman Alvarado said.
The selected films are a blend of well-known works and newer, lesser-known titles. Each film reflects distinct voices within the Spanish-speaking world. Themes of marginality, migration, and social issues connect the lineup, offering audiences both artistic variety and powerful social messages. The films highlight communities and perspectives that are not widely showcased on the big screen, Roman Alvarado told The Bulletin.
“They are not represented on film and they have a lot to say,” he said.
Beyond spotlighting these communities, Roman Alvarado hopes the films will spark broader conversations about shared human experiences. By bringing international cinema to local screens, the Spanish Film Festival aims to connect students and community members through the universal language of film and establish a new cultural tradition for Emporia.
“I think one message is that we belong to different communities that have to deal with similar issues, but we are all part of one big humanity,” Roman Alvarado said. “Experiences in the Latin American community will be helpful for any community, especially ours.”
