
EL ENCUENTRO: THE LATINO FILM EXPERIENCE
October 13, 14, 2023 at 7:00 PM
The Richard and Nancy Donahue Theater
At Middlesex Community College
240 Central St, Lowell, MA
Wow! A year goes by so quickly! Last year’s El Encuentro Film Festival was an incredible success, featuring 24 original short films from all over the US and Puerto Rico, to huge audiences, as we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month.
But we are NOT resting on our laurels. This year, our submissions reached an unbelievable tally of 266! Our diverse and talented team of judges had a lot on their plate as we have chosen the “Best of the Best” in drama, comedy, documentaries, and animated films.
That’s not all… how about adding a Salsa Dance performance with live music before each show?
Each evening will consist of 90 minutes of original films by an underrepresented group of filmmakers who deserve to be heard.
“Art Is the Handmaid of Human Good” is on the Seal of the City of Lowell, a city that is teeming with artists, poets, actors, and musicians. Come to our fair city and play with us. Enjoy our museums, our restaurants, and see our amazing new films. With the Writer’s Strike going on, it’s more important than ever to showcase these talented screenwriters, directors, actors and filmmakers.
Tickets for this exciting event are $15, and $10 for MCC Students
See you at the show!
Jerry, Michelle, Deborah
Online ticket sales will cease at 12PM on the day of the show.
We will hold a limited amount of tickets at the door.
EL ENCUENTRO FESTIVAL FILM ORDER
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2023
- BROKEN WINGS. Director: Maria Laura Martin, Daniel Stearns
- BALAM. Director: Guillermo Casarin
- GARDEN GNOMES. Director: Dinarte De Freitas
- NA SAVI. Director: Sofia Ayerdi
- DULCE. Director: Aleyda Ortiz
- ODE TO JACK KEROUAC. Director: Alberto Roblest
- ROMAN DIAZ, DRUMMER. Director: Onel Mulet
- MARIPOSA. Director: Jennifer Amorelli
- MY MOTHER, MY HERO. Director: Miguel E Barrios
- THE BLUE STAG. Director: Pablo Diaz De Leon Hicks
- DREAM CARRIERS. Director: Esmeralda Hernandez
- GO, DANI, GO! Director: Chelsea Patricia Ramirez
EL ENCUENTRO FESTIVAL FILM ORDER SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2022
- A TRACE. Director: Julietta Zamora Lam
- A “BEAR” ABLE LIFE Director: Sienna Serrano
- SOLITA. Director: Carlos Diaz
- ARCH OF TRIUMPH. Director: Rev Kasey, David Carroll
- HOMELESS. Director: Luca Esposito
- NUCLEAR BEAUTY. Director: Isaac Ballesteros Barba
- MACE & SAIGE: FREELOADING. Director: Julia Ancheta
- THE PHOTOGRAPH. Director: Mary Figaro, Carlos J. Benitez
- DEAR RACHEL. Director: Bryan Herrera
- BELONGING. Director: Lucia Ortega Toledo, and Daniel Califf-Glick
- SANTI. Director: Dani Orlando
- IT’S NOT SO BAD. Director: Anne Fernandez
- FAR AWAY FIESTA. Director: Carlos Lerma
- ABOVE US. Director: Augusto Garcia
Jerry Bisantz is a producer, actor, published playwright and filmmaker who resides in Lowell, MA. He is the Artistic Director of Image Theater, Lowell, (www.imagetheater.com), a theatrical company that has produced the works of over 100 area playwrights, poets, filmmakers, and musicians. Partnering with Ann Garvin, he produced “Femme Film Fest” a successful event that featured the original short works of Massachusetts women filmmakers.
He has produced two short films that have been seen in festivals worldwide: “Memories For Sale,” (winner of Audience Choice Award at the SENE Film Festival, Rhode Island) from his original script, and the documentary “Fred and Emile” both with Image Theater and Breaking Branches Pictures, which will be featured late Spring of 2022 on Boston’s WGBH.
Partnering with Michelle Rivera at the new UNITAS Center on El Encuentro, he is proud to have the opportunity to shine a light on the talented Latino filmmakers who have yet to receive the exposure they deserve.
Michelle Rivera is a Real Estate Broker with over 15 years of experience, serving the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire. She is an expert in facilitating for the needs and requirements of buyers, sellers, and colleagues in the real estate industry. Experienced in residential and commercial real estate sales. Michelle has a proven track record in using excellent personal, communications and organizational skills to lead and mentor a team and a proven sales production. She is a team player with high quality work, driven and self-motivated. Micchelle has strong negotiating skills, tactful presentations and discussions, business acumen and able to work both on a team and independently.
My name is Cristina Rivera & I am so grateful for this incredible opportunity! I was born in Puerto Rico and then moved to Lowell where I currently reside. I am a manager at Life Alive Organic Cafe with over 10 years of kitchen & customer service experience. Although, one of my passions is videography! I graduated from Middlesex Community College with a Communications Degree with a concentration in Film Production. During my time with MCC, two classmates & I made a short film for our senior project which it was then screened in the Independent Film Festival of Boston. I have volunteered & helped produce videos for the school, the Lowell Telemedia Center & non-profit organizations. I am finding my path in our community & helping it grow while creating art along the way!
Ahmos Diaz – I am really excited about this awesome opportunity. Well about myself, I currently work for Amazon as a Senior Digital Marketing Manager and I currently own a video/marketing business called Truth Marketing Studios. I got my BA in Broadcast journalism and Film production with a minor in acting and directing. I also got my M.A. Integrated Marketing Communications from Emerson College. For a full bio you can check me out here on my website at Truth Marketing Studios or on my LinkedIn profile.
Alessandra Fisher a native Brazilian, Theater Artist, Community Advocate, Director of Immigrant Integration and Elder Services and host of the TV show, A Hora Da Poetisa.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in English from UMass Boston and a master’s degree in Theater Education from Emerson College. Her projects and workshops are designed to bring people from all walks of life together and promote inclusion and diversity. With her fluency in both Portuguese and English, she is able to reach a wider audience and create meaningful connections through the arts.
Some Stills – 2023 Festival

Meet Our Judges and Staff
Jerry Bisantz
Festival Co-Producer
click image for bio
Michelle Rivera
Festival Co-Producer
click image for bio
Alessandria Fisher
Festival Judge
click image for bio
Ahmos Diaz
Festival Judge
click image for bio
Cristina Rivera
Festival Judge
click image for bio
Deborah Belanger
Business Manager
click image for bio
Online ticket sales will cease at 12PM on the day of the show.
We will hold a limited amount of tickets at the door.