At cinéSPEAK, stories “not often in mainstream cinema” are put first

As the city’s premier art house theater and organization,  cinéSPEAK continues to offer a new way to focus on stories of individuals and communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. 

Since the group’s inception in 2013, founder Sarah Mueller aimed to “engage diverse audiences through their globally-minded contemporary and repertory independent film programming.” The organizers behind each season encourage people to demand social justice both on-screen and throughout society.

Including with their fall line-up, which was recently just announced.

“We, at cinéSPEAK, are delighted to kick off another robust season featuring 6 pop-up programs in September and October (with more to come in November and December)—showcasing genre-defying films from France, Lebanon, New Zealand, Senegal and the U.S.; from contemporary independent film festival darlings to ground-breaking masterpieces from the canon, like Bill Gunn’s ‘Ganja and Hess’,” said Sarah Mueller, executive director and founder of cinéSPEAK, in a statement. 

According to a release, cinèSPEAK’s fall programs begin in September with two films. The first, Ayoka Chenzira’s ‘Alma’s Rainbow’ will be shown at Pentridge Station Pop-Up (5110-5120 Pentridge St.) on Sept. 23. The coming-of-age comedy-drama about three Black women living in Brooklyn will then be followed on Sept. 29 with Chloé Mazlo’s ‘Skies Of Lebanon.’ The latter will be shown on the Ginkgo Lawn at Bartram’s Garden (5400 Lindbergh Ave.), and its story combines live action with animation to create a vivid picture of Lebanon, inspired by the family history of the filmmaker.

“Independent film lovers take note—in October, in-celebration of the start of our 10th anniversary year, we will be dropping some big announcements regarding our future brick-and-mortar independent cinema home in West Philadelphia…opening in Fall 2023. Stay tuned,” Mueller finished in another statement. 

The organizations fall season will then continue with ‘Saloum’ on Oct. 20, ‘Teine Sā (with OURIKA!)’ on Oct. 28, a free all ages Halloween party and screening on Oct. 29, and then ‘Ganja and Hess’ with composer Sam Waymon (which also happens to be a fundraiser for Prevention Point) on Oct. 31.

More details and ticket sales can be found at www.cineSPEAK.org/ATTEND. For more information, Philadelphians can visit their website at cinespeak.org, or follow along on Instagram @cinespeak, Twitter @cineSPEAK and on Facebook @cineSPEAKeasy.