To commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, the Appell Center has collaborated with prominent York County community members to curate an exclusive film series. Each feature portrays the struggles, triumphs and challenges faced by notable individuals in significant periods of time. They are stories that simply must be told and retold… stories that continue to influence those that experience them.

Each film screening will open with remarks by its curator, detailing why they think the movie should be shared with the York community, and how it has significantly impacted their lives.

ABOUT THE FILM

Over a career spanning more than 70 years, Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become a celebrated and award-winning actor. Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It explores the star’s rich, decades-long career using vérité footage of Moreno today, archival footage of her roles and appearances, reenactments of her childhood, animation and interviews with Moreno, those close to her and performers she influenced. Film interviewees include Gloria Estefan, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Karen Olivo, as well as Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda, who are also executive producers on the project.