2026, 92 minutes
Directed by David Alvarado
2026 Sundance Film Festival
Winner: Audience Award US Documentary
An auteur emerges from America’s underclass: from migrant farmworker to revolutionary artist, Luis Valdez changed American culture. In the 1960s, his El Teatro Campesino performed on flatbed trucks and helped mobilize workers to win the first farmworker union contract. His Zoot Suit was the first Chicano play on Broadway. Despite critical rejection that killed the show, he persevered, creating La Bamba—a breakout blockbuster that authentically depicted MexicanAmerican life to the world. Now in its 60th year, El Teatro continues to be a beacon for Latino/a creators. This is the story of an artist who gave voice to the overlooked and opened pathways for generations. Featuring Linda Ronstadt, Lou Diamond Phillips, Cheech Marin, Delores Huerta, and Edward James Olmos.