Films
Films
Discover Kristal’s award-winning films that showcase powerful stories of resilience, equity, and community.
This filmography highlights impactful documentaries that blend investigative journalism with artistic storytelling. Book screenings, speaking Q&As, or license my films and buy merch to bring these powerful narratives to your community.
Watch Expanding Sanctuary now available on Kanopy!
Filmography
Don’t Cry For Me All You Drag Queens (2024)
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An homage to the legendary Mother Cavallucci that weaves together the present and past to provide a striking portrait of belonging and memory. Poetically merging archival photographs and present day footage from a community drag show, the film sparks conversation about the modern day issues Mother Cavallucci revolutionized.
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Winner of the Best LGBTQ Documentary at the 2025 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival
Presented at over 40+ film festivals across the globe including Newport Beach Film Festival, Miami Film Festival, NewFest, Sidewalk Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, Rio LGBTQIA+, Micheaux Film Festival, Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival, and more.
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This project was produced with support from Traverse32 and Outfest.
Las Cosas Que Brillan (2025)
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A curious young mermaid defies her mother’s warnings and ventures to the surface, only to discover the danger that lies above after a violent encounter with a conquistador.
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BlackStar Film Festival
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A Sotomayor Productions Film
In Association With Maestro Filmworks, Big Howl, and Big Picture Alliance
The BlackStar Philadelphia Filmmaker Lab is presented with support from Independence Public Media Foundation, William Penn Foundation, and Wyncote Foundation.
This project has been supported by The Philadelphia Independent Media Fund administered by Scribe Video Center with funds provided by the Independence Public Media Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.
Expanding Sanctuary (2023)
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Immigrant mother Linda Hernandez emerges as a community leader during the historic campaign to end the sharing of the Philadelphia police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Expanding Sanctuary tells a rarely told story about a Latinx immigrant community’s successful journey to change legislation and protect families.
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Winner of the Philadelphia Filmmaker Award at the 2024 BlackStar Film Festival
Winner of the Best Documentary Film at the 2025 SPE Media Festival
Presented at over 30+ film festivals across the globe including BlackStar Film Festival, New York Latino Film Festival, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Micheaux Film Festival, San Diego Latino Film Festival, and more.
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Distributed by OTV, Kanopy, and New Day Films
This project was made with the support of If/Then, Leeway Foundation, Screening Room, Points North Institute, DCTV, Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, MDOC, Doc Society, and the Independence Public Media Foundation.
The Velocity Fund administered by Temple Contemporary at Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University with generous funding from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts.
The Philadelphia Independent Media Fund administered by Scribe Video Center with funds provided by the Independence Public Media Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.
Labyrinth of Flowers (In Post)
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An animated dive into the magical reality of healing through illness.
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This project was supported by the Independence Public Media Foundation, SIFTMedia215, Doc Society, and Leeway Foundation.
The Philadelphia Independent Media Fund administered by Scribe Video Center with funds provided by the Independence Public Media Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.
To My Motherland (2017)
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To My Motherland is an experimental personal essay film that blends personal photographs and home videos to explore the complexities of immigration, language, and returning to the motherland.
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Nominee at the Rough Cut Film Festival
Screened at 10+ film festivals across the globe including Backup Kurzfestival, Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, Newark International Film Festival, Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival, and more.
People’s Party Tour (In Development)
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Gearing up for the 2024 U.S. presidential elections, East L.A.-based Las Cafeteras bandmates - Denise Carlos and Hector Flores - balance their Undocumented parent’s expectations for financial security while advocating for immigrant rights and social justice.
Untitled Paleontology Documentary (In Development)
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An immigrant mother and scientist cares for her young son and a collection of invertebrate fossils.
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The Philadelphia Independent Media Fund administered by Scribe Video Center with funds provided by the Independence Public Media Foundation and the Wyncote Foundation.
Untitled Water Access Documentary (In Development)
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A multimedia audio documentary and film. In a small town facing relentless corporate interests, a resilient group of community members fight daunting odds to protect their fundamental right to clean, affordable water.
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A Sotomayor Productions Podcast
In Association With Hansen Bursic Film
This work is created with support from Voice of Witness.
Untitled PARS Documentary (In Development)
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A feature documentary that investigates the surveillance of immigrant communities.
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This film was supported by Sundance Institute.
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As Seen At
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