EL ENCUENTRO: THE LATINO FILM EXPERIENCE

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.

www.jerrybisantz.com

jerry.bisantz@gmail.com

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.