Across the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing, bringing together communities, students, and cultural leaders to honor the vast contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. From virtual film festivals in Pennsylvania to lively music and dance in Florida, and campus celebrations in California, the month-long observance running from September 15 to October 15, 2025, is marked by both reflection and vibrant festivity.
At West Chester University (WCU) in Pennsylvania, the Seventh Annual Global Hispanic Film Festival is set to captivate audiences with a five-week virtual program, beginning September 22 and running through October 27. The festival, free and open to the public, features a carefully curated lineup of international films, each available online for a week and subtitled in English to ensure accessibility for all viewers. According to WCU, these films tackle powerful themes—globalization, postcolonialism, social inequality, migration, indigenous cultures, racism, sexual diversity, and religious diversity—offering audiences a window into the complexities and richness of Hispanic and Latino experiences worldwide.
The festival kicks off with a special event on September 23: a virtual screening of Boca Chica, followed by a live Q&A with its director, Gabriella Moses. Moses, an award-winning Dominican-Guyanese American filmmaker based in Brooklyn, brings to the screen the poignant story of a 12-year-old aspiring singer in the Dominican Republic, exploring the intersection of family, coming-of-age, and the harsh realities of exploitation. As reported by Delco Today, Moses’s debut feature premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, where she received the prestigious Nora Ephron Award, recognizing her distinctive voice and vision as a female filmmaker.
This opening event is more than just a film screening—it’s also part of WCU’s 17th Annual Latino/a/x Communities Conference, held September 23 and 24 in Sykes Student Union. This year, both the festival and the conference pay tribute to the 100th birthday of Nicaraguan poet and activist Ernesto Cardenal, a towering figure in Central American literature and politics. Cardenal, who served as Nicaragua’s minister of culture under the Sandinista government, championed poetry as a tool for education and social change, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations. Workshops and panels during the conference will focus on Cardenal’s work and influence, as well as pressing issues like immigration and the experiences of Mexican and Latino populations in Southern Chester County.
“Our first festival week opens with the chance to meet [on Zoom] Director Gabriella Moses, an award-winning Dominican-Guyanese American Writer and Director based in Brooklyn, N.Y.,” explained Dr. Iliana Pagán-Teitelbaum, Associate Professor of Languages and Cultures and organizer of the Global Hispanic Film Festival, according to Delco Today. She is joined by Dr. Jason Bartles, co-director, and Ayannah Stanton, graduate assistant and assistant director of festival marketing and outreach. Student organizations such as the Latino American Student Organization (LASO), the Spanish Club, and the WCU Immigrants & Allies Association are also co-hosting, with support from sponsors including Pragda, Spain’s Ministry of Education and Culture, and SPAIN arts & culture.
This year’s film lineup is as diverse as the communities it represents. After Boca Chica, the festival continues with Chinas (Spain), offering a rare look into the lives of Chinese communities in Spain and the challenges of dual identity. Los Hongos (Colombia) follows two graffiti artists as they inject hope and freedom into their neighborhoods. Alice Júnior (Brazil) tells the uplifting story of a transgender teen navigating a new life, shining a light on the resilience and joy of trans-Brazilians even amidst social turmoil. Rounding out the series is La Cocina (Mexico, United States), set in a New York City restaurant kitchen—a microcosm for broader struggles of identity, class, and survival among immigrant workers.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country in Chula Vista, California, Southwestern College’s campus was alive with music and color during its own Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 17. The event featured live mariachi music, heartfelt speeches, and a flag-raising ceremony, all underscoring the pride and unity of a campus where over 60% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino. Dr. Guadalupe Rodríguez Corona, Director of the Office of Student Equity Programs and Services at Southwestern College, emphasized the importance of celebrating cultural capital and honoring family traditions within the college community. “To be proud of everything that our cultural capital, what our parents provided for us, the language, the traditions and being able to celebrate them in communidad. Southwestern is a great place where we can do that and be able to honor all those beautiful traditions that our students bring to our campus that we can celebrate with the rest of the community,” Rodríguez Corona told ABC 10News.
Southwestern College’s commitment to supporting its diverse student body is evident in programs like Assembly Bill 91, a pilot initiative that allows low-income students living within 45 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to qualify for in-state tuition at select California community colleges, including Southwestern. This effort aims to help binational students pursue higher education without the burden of out-of-state tuition. The college’s Puente Program, open to all students, offers guidance on college resources and transfer preparation. Leonardo Luna, a third-year student and event speaker, credits the Puente Program for much of his success. “It guided me through the college, through the resources, through everything that has to do with transferring, everything I can do to be a better applicant,” Luna shared with ABC 10News. As a first-generation college student who spent most of his life in Mexico before returning to the U.S. six years ago, Luna now aspires to become a lawyer.
Further east, Jacksonville, Florida, is gearing up for its own grand celebration. Viva La Fiesta 2025, the city’s largest Hispanic festival, will take over the Phoenix Arts & Innovation District on Sunday, September 21. Now in its seventh year, the free, family-friendly event promises six hours of rhythmic performances, including salsa, bachata, mariachi, and plena dances, alongside a delectable spread of authentic Latin American cuisine—think empanadas, tacos, pupusas, and arepas. Local artisan vendors will showcase crafts and goods rich in cultural heritage, creating an atmosphere of communal joy and pride.
The festivities continue with the Unidos Jax Dinner 2025 on September 25 at the Jacksonville Public Library Main Library. Presented by the City of Jacksonville, this distinguished dinner honors the strength, resilience, and contributions of the local Hispanic community across social, cultural, and economic domains. The evening features a plated dinner, cultural performances, speeches, video tributes, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding Hispanic leaders, all capped off with live music to keep the spirit alive.
From coast to coast, these celebrations reflect not only the diversity within Hispanic and Latino communities but also their enduring impact on American society. Whether through film, food, music, or education, Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 is a powerful reminder of the stories, struggles, and triumphs that shape the nation’s cultural landscape.
