Los Angeles City Council District 13, Office of Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez, is proud to partner with the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre and Department of Cultural Affairs to present "Lens on Life" – a new monthly film screening series, to be held on the third Wednesday of every month, in the beautiful 300-seat Barnsdall Gallery Theatre.

Each month, we will partner with an organization doing work in our district, to curate a selection of short and feature length films, of varying lengths and genres, each highlighting one critical issue affecting our communities, or value that represents our Los Angeles. After each screening, we will host an intimate conversation with an expert or experts of the films shown, and/or the particular subject matter covered by the film.

This will be an opportunity to connect with people in our community through art and film, in the city that has historically been the global center of filmmaking, and only paces away from Frank Lloyd Wright’s famous Hollyhock House, Los Angeles’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

July 16, 2025 - Pride in July!

For our July screening of the series on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, we will be screening two short films and one feature length documentary focused on the theme of Queer identity and empowerment, especially through the lens of communities of color.

Our feature presentation will be:

LA QueenCiañera (2021) - Directed by Pedro Peira

Bamby, a transgender activist, hosts a 50th birthday celebration attended by the people who made her.

Before the feature presentation we will screen two short films, created by local filmmakers in Los Angeles, as part of a collaboration with New Filmmakers Los Angeles, a festival focused on elevating the voices of emerging filmmakers:

Sunflower Nicki (2024) - Directed by Clifton J. Adams

When eight-year old Nicolas expresses his dreams of owning a doll, it sends a violent shift into his household revealing the damaging effects of toxic masculinity.

Witness (2024) - Directed by Radha Mehta & Saif Jaan

A revered small-town imam faces a crisis of faith when he must choose between upholding the values of his mosque or protecting the safety and spiritual belonging of a male congregant.

After the screenings, we will host a panel discussion with the filmmakers behind each short, moderated by Bamby Salcedo, founder and CEO of the Translatin@ Coalition.

The event will also provide an opportunity for attendees to connect with several organizations doing amazing work in Los Angeles, including:

Translatin@ Coalition

The One Institute

New Filmmakers Los Angeles

Department of Cultural Affairs