Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Vidiots, Los Angeles
**Producers**: David Alvarado, Lauren DeFilippo, Everett Katigbak, Amanda Pollak Against political resistance and industry skepticism, Luis Valdez pushes Chicano storytelling from the fields to the film screen with *Zoot Suit *and* La Bamba*, crafting iconic works that challenge, celebrate, and expand America’s story. 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 Mexican-American 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.