Charlotte Latino Film Festival: The Changebaker + Comparsa

THE CHANGEBAKER
Directed by Courtney Dixon
(USA, 2025, 16m, Documentary)
in Spanish and English with English subtitles

Manolo Betancur immigrated to the U.S. to chase the American Dream and escape the horrors of war in Colombia, where he was a captain in the Army. He uses nightmares of the past to fuel his mission to create jobs for fellow immigrants at his bakery in North Carolina. But after a string of ICE raids, the shop has become something more than just a trendy local spot for baked goods. It has become a hub for local activism, and a symbol of hope and resilience for the community. A sign hangs proudly at Betancur’s door for all to see: "Made in America by the Hands of Immigrants."

Manolo Betancur emigró a Estados Unidos buscando el sueño americano y huyendo de la guerra en Colombia, donde fue capitán del ejército. Sus pesadillas del pasado impulsan su misión: crear empleos para inmigrantes en su panadería en Carolina del Norte. Tras varias redadas de ICE, el local se transformó en mucho más que una panadería de moda: es un centro de activismo y un símbolo de esperanza y resistencia. En la puerta, un cartel lo dice claro: "Hecho en Estados Unidos por manos inmigrantes."

COMPARSA
Directed by Vickie Curtis and Doug Anderson
(Guatemala, 2025, 1h 29m, Documentary)
in Spanish with English subtitles

"Comparsa" fully immerses audiences in the intense world of Ciudad Peronia, Guatemala, where sisters Lesli and Lupe use art to inspire local youth and heal deep wounds. After 41 girls are killed in a state-run “Safe House” and the government refuses to act, the sisters organize a community comparsa —an exuberant street performance featuring towering puppets, fire-breathing stilt walkers, and thundering drums. Their youth movement takes to the streets, confronting corruption and reclaiming public space for women and girls.

“Comparsa” sumerge al público en el intenso mundo de Ciudad Peronia, Guatemala, donde las hermanas Lesli y Lupe utilizan el arte para inspirar a la juventud local y sanar heridas profundas. Tras el asesinato de 41 niñas en una supuesta casa segura estatal y la negativa del gobierno a tomar acción, las hermanas organizan una comparsa comunitaria: un exuberante espectáculo callejero con marionetas gigantes, zanqueros que escupen fuego y tambores atronadores. Su movimiento juvenil sale a las calles, enfrentando la corrupción y reclamando el espacio público para mujeres y niñas.

Content advisory: child sexual abuse and domestic abuse references

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