Following last years Category 5 Hurricane Maria, decades of financial crisis, and over a century as a US colony, many Puerto Ricans are choosing to leave the island in search of seemingly better prospects. Migration projections for the coming years are startlingly high, and many of those leaving their homes in Puerto Rico are young, educated, and skilled taking their talents and potential off of the island.
Join us for a screening of Moving In Place, a documentary film featuring Puerto Ricans in their 20s and 30s who share their experiences navigating life on and off the island. They unpack the complexities of Puerto Rican identity and loyalty and the difficult decision of whether to stay or leave especially in the devastating wake of María.
We are lucky to be joined by Noel Quiñones, an AfroBoricua poet, actor, community organizer, and performance artist born and raised in the Bronx. Noel was named one of New York State's "40 Under 40 Rising Latino Stars" by the Hispanic Coalition NY and is the founder of Project X, a Bronx based arts organization, and co-organizer of #PoetsforPuertoRico, a movement of diasporic poets using poetry to support and advocate for social change on the island. Noel will be opening the event with a spoken word performance and commentary on the importance of grassroots organizing for PR.
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to our nonprofit partner UPROSE Brooklyn.
Produced and Directed by Lyka Sethi and Geoffrey Iwata
Cinematography by Indio Martinez
Edited by Dilila McDonagh
Music by Camilo Pentzke
Sound by Francisco Rios
Graphics by Katy Cecchetti