The Museum is again hosting a free-to-the-public day of the Allentown Film Festival, this year on Saturday, April 12, beginning at 12:30 p.m. with two screenings. The first series of shorts explores that timeless question “What Is Art?” The second block includes short films in Spanish with English subtitles. The screenings will be in the Museum’s Auditorium.
Admission to the screenings is FREE, but seating is limited so please register below to save your seat. Post-screening panel discussions with filmmakers and cast members are planned for both blocks of films.
“What is Art?”
Still from Art History / as told by logos
Art History / as told by logos (6 mins): 67,000 years of art history as seen in 210 logos.
Boots on the Ground for Art (5 min): This film reflects the joy and honor of teaching art to veterans representing all branches of the U.S. military. Vets at the Oregon School of Arts under instructor Randall Vemer created several paintings that were exhibited along with the film at four Veterans Administration venues in Portland, Oregon, in May 2024. The film honors both military service and the power of art. The theme is also a metaphor for beginning any new endeavor in life.
Green Greenie (1 min): This short animation starts as an innocent walk in the woods. Static appears as erasures and cancellations interrupt the picture. The sky changes color from greens to blues and then to neutrals, and there are dots of red throughout, serving as a sort of trail marker to offset the uncertainty. The sound is a feeder to the genuine sense of optimism in this animation.
Still from She Sprang Out of Red
She Sprang Out of Red (6 mins): An exploration of transformation through the embodiment of feminine narratives in cross-cultural and Caribbean imaginaries and dialogues between movement and design.
P[]p C()rn (1 min): Two comestibles of the American Midwest splice together to create a jargonized monstrosity.
Sock’s Manifesto (4 min): Socks go in pairs. They cannot exist on their own, only as a pair! Why?
Existential Action Thriller (11 mins): Give a bearhug to the things that scare you the most. A documentary about the artist Heidi Schwegler. Faced with a crisis in her art practice, Schwegler leaves for unfamiliar settings and begins to see her surroundings in new ways.
“Cine Español”
Still from Hasta Que Salga El Sol
Community: The Universal Language (5 mins): Immigrating to a new country can be challenging, especially when learning a new language. To ease the burden of this transition, several Lehigh Valley organizations are joining together to create a new pilot program to help: the Linguistic and Cultural Workforce Development Center. Here, individuals can take English classes and trade courses to gain valuable skills that will elevate them in the workforce and pave the way for a better future. The program is run in collaboration with St. Luke’s University Health Network, Northampton Community College, Lehigh Valley Carbon Community College, and the Literacy Center and Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley.
Hasta Que Salga El Sol (3 mins): This film is more than just a song, it’s an anthem that captures the energy, pride, and passion of the Carnival of the city of La Vega, Dominican Republic. Through powerful lyrics and an electrifying rhythm, the song takes listeners on a journey through the streets of La Vega, where tradition and modernity collide in a celebration that never stops.
The music video brings this spirit to life, showcasing the vibrant culture, colorful costumes, and the unstoppable energy of Los Bichos, one of the most iconic groups of the Carnival. From sunrise to sunset—and beyond—the visuals immerse the audience in the euphoria of the festival, highlighting the unity, joy, and dedication that define this cultural phenomenon.
Still from Revelation
With its infectious melody and deep-rooted message, Hasta Que Salga el Sol is not just a tribute to the Carnival, it’s a call to dance, celebrate, and embrace the traditions that make the Carnival of the city of La Vega, Dominican Republic, the most important cultural event in the Caribbean.
That One Song (13 mins): Santiago has had one favorite song his entire life, a contagious melody that he listened to only once years ago. He would do anything to listen to it again. His only problem? He doesn’t know the song’s name nor its lyrics.
Revelation (13 mins): Luciano, a young photographer in search of the perfect image that captures the soul, encounters an enigmatic woman named Elena. By exchanging a photograph with her, he finally obtains the longed-for image he has been seeking, a revelation that will lead him to the darkest part of his country’s history.
Following the screening there will be a panel discussion featuring filmmakers and cast members:
Sara Viteri, Director of Community: The Universal Language
Two-time Emmy nominated producer and actress Sara Viteri is a full-time producer and on-air personality at ASR Media. Sara is passionate about community involvement in the Lehigh Valley as an active member of Fade in Fade Out: A Filmmaking Consortium’s Board; the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber’s Women Summit planning committee; and InnaStar board of directors. She hails from Ecuador and is a voice for the local Latin community.
Greg Gersch, director of Art History / as told by logos
Greg Gersch is passionate about drawing and considers it an indispensable tool for communication, inspiration, and problem solving. Prior to starting his graphic-recording practice in 2009, he headed a graphic-design firm specializing in brand identity and marketing, earning several distinctions for his logos. Greg studied art history and fine art, graduating with honors from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the International Forum of Visual Practitioners and has conducted drawing workshops for visual practitioners.
The Allentown Film Festival continues through Sunday, April 13. CLICK HERE for a complete schedule of screenings.