The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is proud to present its Spring 2026 Film Series at the Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) in Oakland.

The LACC Film Series will occur on three Thursdays between January and March 2026. All programming includes one short film and one fiction feature.

Join us in this must-see series, as we explore issues related to Latin American stories, art, culture, environmental concerns, social struggles, and points of view.

Curated by Dr. Claudia Ferman

Film Series Ill

Short + Fiction

Showtime: 6:00 PM
Total screening time:  95′ minutes 

Legado Directed by Zumaya Mayers and Rodrigo Cuervo Colombia, Ecuador, 2024 24’ Spanish w/ English subtitles

Documentary

A journey through the Afro-descendant memory of Latin America, revealing stories of resistance, struggles and cultural preservation.

Un viaje a través de la memoria afrodescendiente de América Latina, revelando historias de resistencia, luchas y preservación cultural.

Manuela Directed by Clara Cullen Argentina, 2022, 71’ Spanish w/ English subtitles

Drama

Manuela, a Latin American immigrant, walks through the empty streets of Los Angeles, scouring the area for work. Manuela arrives at a job interview at a large house in an affluent neighborhood. She’s greeted by a cold businesswoman looking for a nanny for her daughter, Alma. After getting the job, Manuela meets Alma, who is initially resistant to her. Alma’s mother, Ellen, is never around. She occasionally talks to them through the security camera. While Ellen is gone on a business trip, Manuela and Alma swim in the pool, clean the house, and form a maternal bond.The days go by, and they still haven’t heard from Ellen. Manuela takes on more and more of a motherly role, even wearing Ellen’s clothes. One day, she learns that her entire world as she knows it has just changed and she must make a huge decision.

Manuela es una inmigrante argentina que busca trabajo por las calles desoladas de Los Ángeles. Luego de varios días consigue una entrevista de trabajo en un barrio prominente de LA. La recibe Ellen, una madre soltera que busca niñera para su hija Alma. Ellen es una madre ausente pero controladora, que se comunica con Manuela y Alma a través de una cámara de seguridad. Ellen parte a Nueva York en un viaje de negocios y le confía el cuidado de Alma a Manuela, que se muda a la casa. Manuela y Alma nadan en la pileta, limpian la casa y forman un lazo materno filial. Los días pasan y no tienen noticias de la madre. Descubrimos la relación conflictiva que Manuela tiene con la maternidad y un acontecimiento inesperado la forzará a optar entre su camino y el vínculo que acaba de formar con Alma. Manuela es una película que cuestiona y redefine la relación de una mujer joven con la libertad, la maternidad y la familia.