Winner of the U.S. Documentary Audience Award and the Festival Favorite Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival! 

Directed by David Alvarado
Introduction by Dr. Neill Gabrielle Esquibel-Kennedy, Visiting Assistant Professor of the Chicanx/Latinx Program in KU Department of American Studies.

Run time: 1hour 32min

ABOUT THE FILM
An auteur emerges from America’s underclass: from migrant farmworker to revolutionary artist, Luis Valdez changed American culture. In the 1960s, his El Teatro Campesino performed on flatbed trucks and helped mobilize workers to win the first farmworker union contract. His Zoot Suit was the first Chicano play on Broadway. Despite critical rejection that killed the show, he persevered, creating La Bamba—a breakout blockbuster that authentically depicted MexicanAmerican life to the world. Now in its 60th year, El Teatro continues to be a beacon for Latino/a creators. This is the story of an artist who gave voice to the overlooked and opened pathways for generations.