cinéSPEAK

bringing the under-represented and eclectic to the forefront of the Philadelphia cinema scene

We are a Philadelphia-based cinema and film publication that engages diverse audiences through our globally-minded contemporary and repertory independent film programming; creating space and centering the stories of individuals and communities that are often underrepresented in mainstream cinema. We promote community togetherness and global understanding by engaging film enthusiasts while cultivat

ing the next generation of discerning moviegoers; encouraging people to demand social justice both on-screen and throughout society

cinéSPEAK is an independent charitable 501(c)(3).

06/06/2026

This Week! Movie Mondays does Pride! 🌈🔥

Monday, June 8th, join cinéSPEAK x Two Locals Brewing Company for a double feature: Set It Off (1996) and Nana Duffour’s Rainbow Girls (2025). From bank heists to luxury brand takedowns, these films center Black q***r and trans women who decide to take their power back.

🎥 Program runs 6:30 - 8:30 PM — with Rainbow GirlsFilm Dir. Nana Duffuor in attendance and in conversation with Madelyn Morrison (of Attic Youth Center)!
🍹 Happy Hour 5–7 PM
🍿 Free popcorn
🥡 BYO dinner

Free to attend! $5+ donations help cover film licensing and honor the participation of artists.

Invite your friends and secure your spot: https://cinespeak.eventive.org/schedule/69a07f5202d4a83456c571d7

06/05/2026

Under the Stars returns tonight! Check out last week's vibes 💖

We enjoyed a fantastic night of community joy, with fantastic food from Tokio Sushi Truck and drinks from Two Locals 🍣🍻, incredible musical offerings from Mariposas Galacticas and DJ Ripley🎶, and of course, the Pennsylvania Premieres of Everybody to Kenmure Street (dir. Felipe Bustos Sierra) and Barriga Llena, Corazón Contento (Full Belly, Happy Heart) (dirs. Marshall Leitner-Hanig and Jordana Rubenstein-Edberg). 🎥🎞️

We want to give an extra-special thanks to our advocacy partners, Asian Americans United, No Ice Philly, CIMS, Juntos, Food Not Bombs, West Philly Porchfest, Mariposa Food Co-op and Sharing Excess, for tabling!❤️‍🔥

What a night! Thank you for spending your evening with us. The celebration continues TONIGHT with Week 2—more incredible art, more community joy, and more outdoor movie magic. See you at Clark Park at 7PM! 🌃🌳

For more information on festival schedules, and to register: https://cinespeak.org/cinema/

📸 Photos by Rachael Warriner

06/04/2026

This Friday, we're bringing stories of journalism, resistance, and liberation to Clark Park. 🌠❤️‍🔥

🎆 Join us under the stars for a powerful evening featuring the World Premiere of Abolition Conversations : Episode 1 directed by Lori Waselchuk, followed by Steal This Story ,Please! from directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, an inspiring portrait of Democracy Now! journalist Amy Goodman.

🎥 In this video, filmmaker Lori Waselchuk shares stories that invite us to imagine new possibilities for justice, accountability, and community.

📍 Clark Park
🧺🎶 Community gathering with DJs at 7 PM
🕘 Films begin at 9 PM
🎟️ Free and open to all

Bring your blankets, chairs, friends, and neighbors. Learn more and register: https://cinespeak.org/cinema/

06/03/2026

As this country prepares to celebrate 250 years of “independence,” whose stories are being told and whose voices are being silenced?⁠
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In a new piece for cinéSPEAK, gabe castro reflects on the essential role of independent media through the films Steal This Story, Please! and Abolition Conversations: Episode 1 — works that challenge censorship, expose human rights violations, and remind us why freedom of the press matters now more than ever.⁠
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Join us at Under the Stars on Friday, June 5 for these powerful films and conversations on journalism, abolition, and storytelling as resistance.⁠
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Grab a printed version in our Under the Stars festival zine, available at all four nights of Under the Stars!

Read the full article: https://cinespeak.org/2026/05/21/steal-this-story-please-urges-journalists-to-go-where-the-silence-is/

06/02/2026

🌠❤️‍🔥 Under the Stars continues this Friday in Clark Park! Check out what's going on...

⏰ Event Flow:
—7 PM: Community gathering with special musical guests Vinyl Tap215 presents DuiJi and Aura. 🎶

Are you a non-fiction filmmaker? Join Philly for a fun pre-show meet up on-site. RSVP: [email protected] 🎬

Stop by and check out the important advocacy and cultural work of—Writer's Room Drexel, Free Press, The Leeway Foundation, Mariposa Co-op and PhillyCAM! 💗

We've got great food and drinks from Meatz by Meez and drinks from Two Locals Brewing Company. 🍖🍺 *please note: no vegetarian or vegan options this week (so sorry!)

—9 PM: Audiences will experience Steal This Story Please! (dirs. Carl Deal and Tia Lessin), a compelling portrait of journalist Amy Goodman of Democracy Now! The screening will open with the World Premiere of Abolition Conversations: Episode 1. 🎥🎞️

We can’t wait to see you! Gather your crew, learn more and register today: https://cinespeak.org/cinema/

06/01/2026

June is here and Q***r Cinema For Palestine is reminding us that there’s No Pride in Genocide. 🇵🇸🏳️‍🌈 In two weeks, join us for QCP’s 4th annual global program!

On Monday, June 15th, at 7pm at Vox Populi, we’ll be screening A Message (dir. Mama Ganuush), Ceasefire بِكَفِّي قَهْـر (dir. Teodor Vladár), The 5-Year Plan for Financial Independence (dir. Dua Omari), Until We Return (dir. Huss AC), We Will Haunt Your Archive (dir. R.R.), and Sorry (dir. John Greyson). 🎞️

Q***r Cinema for Palestine began as an alternative ethical space for filmmakers who pulled or refused to show their work in the Israeli government-sponsored TLVFest LGBTQ Film Festival. Over the past six years, hundreds of filmmakers have shown their solidarity in response to the boycott call from q***r and trans Palestinians. ❤️‍🔥🎥

Come celebrate Palestinian life, Q***r-Palestinian solidarity, and fantastic short films! 🌈🍉

🎟 Tickets are only $10. Your donation enables us to sponsor programming costs for local Palestinian advocacy efforts. Snag yours today: https://cinespeak.eventive.org/schedule/69f9fa7ecdcc643cbbba4a94

05/31/2026

It’s a HOT June in Philly. Keep cool with the indie film scene! 🔥⁠☀️
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Check out the June 2026 Cinema Arts Round-Up written by Sophia Abraham-Raveson!

Highlights include 🎥 screenings from the Philadelphia Latino Arts and Film Festival, 🇵🇸 a special event from Q***r Cinema for Palestine, and 🌃 several nights of community joy at Under the Stars in Clark Park. That’s just the surface, as there’s so much to enjoy this month! ❤️‍🔥
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Read the full round-up: https://cinespeak.org/2026/05/28/philadelphia-monthly-cinema-arts-round-up-june-2026/

05/30/2026

This July, we proudly welcome visionary artist, Rashid Zakat, for an interactive artist lecture!❤️‍🔥‼️ ⁠
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Join cinéSPEAK and Maestro Filmworks for a performance and open-laptop conversation with media artist Rashid Zakat. Rashid will VJ a short set, then converse with the room about past projects, works in process, half-finished ideas, and the randomness of his media archive. 💻⁠
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Come out on Thursday, July 23rd to Symphony Philly (1516 N 5th St Unit 104). Networking starts at 6pm (with light snacks and free drinks thanks to Human Robot Beer), and the program begins at 7. Don’t miss the post-event hang at Human Robot (1710 N 5th St)! 🎉⁠
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Tickets are $15. Learn more and register: https://cinespeak.eventive.org/schedule/69de536d9f0d88574866fc6e

05/29/2026

✨ We’re so honored to be featured by ahead of the 2026 cinéSPEAK Under the Stars Film Festival! 🎬🌙💜⁠
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Huge thanks to WXPN, writer and longtime cinéSPEAK fam, for highlighting our festival, our community, and the importance of independent cinema in Philadelphia. 🌆🎥⁠
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The article dives into this year’s theme of community resilience and highlights our incredible lineup of films, music, food vendors, and community partners that make Under the Stars such a special gathering each summer. 🍿🎶🌮✨⁠
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You can read the full article: https://xpn.org/cinespeak-under-the-stars-bringing-music-food-and-indie-cinema-together/
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And don’t miss our first week of programming TONIGHT at Clark Park! 🌳⁠
Live music + community gathering starts at 7 PM and the film begins at 9 PM. Bring your blankets, friends, and community spirit. 💫⁠
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See you under the stars! ⭐

05/28/2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Under the Stars at Clark Park ✨🌙⁠
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📍 Location:⁠
New! This year’s screenings are located on the southern end of “The Bowl” along Kingsessing Ave between 43rd & 45th Streets.⁠
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🚋🚕🚲 Getting Here:⁠
Street parking is free but limited, so we highly recommend public transportation or ride-sharing when possible. Nearby SEPTA routes: T2 + T3⁠
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🧺 What to Bring:⁠
✔️ Blankets + chairs (no seating is provided)⁠
✔️ Water (there is no potable water on site)⁠
✔️ Snacks or dinner (please support our on-site food vendors!)⁠
✔️ Sunscreen + hats⁠
✔️ Bug spray⁠
✔️ Flashlight⁠
✔️ Hoodie or long sleeves (for the after sunset chill)⁠
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🍿 Good to Know:⁠
👉 Free and open to all — donations encouraged!⁠
👉 Seating is first-come, first-served⁠
👉 Designated accessible seating area (across from info table)⁠
👉 Food trucks will be on site weekly⁠
👉 All films will have open captions⁠
👉 2 ADA accessible restrooms on site (by basketball court)⁠
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💓 Community Care:⁠
If bringing pets or children, please supervise them closely at all times. We also encourage attendees to research films in advance if they have concerns about content or trigger warnings.⁠
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📸 We will have photographers and videographers at the park to document the event. Photos and videos will only be used for future marketing and promotional purposes. If you are not comfortable having your face in any photos or videos, please let the photographer/videographer know.⁠
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🤑 Every Under the Stars festival redirects over $25K to local artists and cultural workers. Help us reach our $5K fundraising goal before the festival ends! Donate via the link in bio or on-site by purchasing merch ⁠
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❓ Questions during the event? Stop by the welcome table or email [email protected] ⁠
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🎞 Check out our full Know Before You Go guide and film program: https://cinespeak.org/cinema/

Address

Philadelphia, PA
19143

Website

http://www.cinespeak.org/

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