HISTORY

cinéSPEAK was created in 2013 out of a need to center the stories of communities underrepresented in mainstream cinema. There were few quality film screening venues available at a viable rental rate in Philadelphia, so cinéSPEAK invested in equipment to be able to screen films in outdoor greenspaces across the city and partnered with existing venues to create opportunities for screening local and international independent work.

cinéSPEAK’s unique role in Philly’s vibrant media arts ecosystem is working with grassroots organizations to utilize independent cinema as a cultural organizing tool, highlighting local filmmakers and organizations in our online journal, and bringing arthouse cinema into public spaces. By programming in nontraditional venues, as well as partnering with a variety of organizations, we are bringing in audiences that generally are not engaged by other independent film programming.

Our annual Under The Stars Film Festival is curated in response to community issues that are at the forefront of local community organizing. For example, past years included films about book banning, queer youth safe spaces, and disability justice. Our emergent screenings allow us the agility to follow the leadership and needs of Black, brown and immigrant communities and partner on screening opportunities to help local organizations and projects achieve their fundraising and community mobilization goals, and our journal highlights how community organizations in Philly are using film for social change.

Since its founding, cinéSPEAK has been working to build a state of the art brick and mortar cinema in the heart of West Philadelphia. As independent cinemas have been shutting down nationwide, we strive to create spaces that allow for the growth of the local film ecosystem. If you are interested in supporting the development of the brick and mortar space, please contact us.