To celebrate Latino heritage and culture this September and October, WUCF will offer a special lineup of new and encore programs in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, including the broadcast of THE 34TH HISPANIC HERITAGE AWARDS.
Premieres include an AMERICAN MASTERS biography of the legendary Rita Moreno, new documentaries from POV and VOCES, and a selection of favorite soprano arias from GREAT PERFORMANCES AT THE MET. Acclaimed chef Pati Jinich takes viewers on a cultural and culinary tour of the U.S.-Mexico border in LA FRONTERA, and this year’s annual Hispanic Heritage Awards will once again shine a spotlight on the extraordinary accomplishments of the Latino community and the lasting contributions made to our country.
Below is a schedule of Hispanic Heritage Month programming on WUCF:
Latino Americans
Thursday September 23 at 5 p.m.
Description: A landmark six-hour documentary featuring interviews with nearly 100 Latinos and more than 500 years of History. LATINO AMERICANS is the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 50 million people, the largest minority group in the U.S.
Wonders Of Mexico
Friday September 24 at 5 p.m.
Description: Travel south along Mexico's mountain spine, explore the tropical forests of the Maya and journey across the deserts of Northern Mexico to discover its amazing wildlife and culture.
Buen Provecho! Florida's Spanish Flavor
Saturday September 25 at 5 p.m.
Description: The one hour documentary explores Florida’s Spanish roots through its cuisine, while blending historical narrative with delicious recipes and vibrant locations. The documentary will premiere in celebration of the 500th anniversary of Ponce De Leon’s arrival in Florida.
Alma's Way
Monday October 4, at 8:30 a.m.
Description: The series is created by actor and writer, Sonia Manzano, who positively impacted the lives of generations as “Maria” on Sesame Street, breaking new ground as one of the first Latino characters on national television, for which she received an Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. ALMA’S WAY gives children ages 4-6 the power to find their own answers to their problems, express what they think and feel, and recognize and respect the unique perspective of others. It is slated to debut nationwide on PBS stations, the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel, and PBS KIDS digital platforms.
POV: Fruits Of Labor
Monday, October 4 at 10 p.m.
Description: Fruits of Labor, which had its world premiere at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, follows Ashley, a Mexican-American teenager living in a small agricultural town on the central coast of California. A high school senior, Ashley dreams of graduating and going to college, but when ICE raids in her community threaten to separate her family, she is forced to become their primary breadwinner.
American Masters: Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided To Go For It
Tuesday, October 5 at 9 p.m.
Description: Discover how Moreno defied her humble upbringing and racism to become one of a select group of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award winners. Explore her 70-year career with new interviews, clips of her iconic roles and scenes of the star on set today.
The short film “Lights, Camera, Acción” will premiere at the end of the documentary. Join Latinx actors, writers, producers, directors and showrunners across generations as they discuss the ever-evolving issue of Latinx representation in Hollywood. Featuring interviews with Edward James Olmos, John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria, Jimmy Smits and more. A co-presentation of AMERICAN MASTERS and VOCES.
The 34th Hispanic Heritage Awards
Friday, October 8 at 9 p.m.
Description: Celebrate the recipients of the annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. The evening includes performances and appearances by some of the country's most celebrated Hispanic artists and visionaries. Honorees include Carlos Santana, Kali Uchis and more.
Great Performances At The Met: Three Divas At Versailles
Friday, October 8 at 10 p.m.
Description: Enjoy sopranos Ailyn Pérez, Nadine Sierra and mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as they join forces at one of Europe’s cultural landmarks to perform favorite arias including “Voi che sapete” from Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” and more.
La Frontera With Pati Jinich: Miles From Nowhere
Friday, October 15 at 9 p.m.
Description: Acclaimed chef and James Beard Award-winning host Pati Jinich, travels from El Paso and Juarez to Big Bend National Park. She discovers the people, places, and food -- from burritos to middle eastern cuisine, that make this region unique.
Voces On PBS: Letters To Eloisa
Friday, October 15 at 10 p.m.
Description: A haunting portrait of a writer’s life and struggle for artistic freedom, this film tells the story of Cuba’s José Lezama Lima, an all but forgotten figure of the Latin American literary boom that included Gabriel García Márquez, Octavio Paz and Mario Vargas Llosa.
POV: La Casa De Mama Icha
Sunday, October 24 at 12 a.m.
Description: Decades ago, Mama Icha moved to the United States to help her daughter, but she never lost sight of her hometown of Mompox, spending years sending money to build her dream house there. Now, at the end of her life, Mama Icha returns to Colombia.
POV: Things We Dare Not Do
Sunday, October 31 at 12 a.m.
Description: In the small Mexican coastal village of El Roblito, 16-year-old Ñoño lives what seems to be an idyllic existence with his loving family. But he holds a secret. Defying gender norms, Ñoño works up the courage to tell his family he wants to live his life as a woman, a fraught decision in a country shrouded in machismo and transphobia.
WUCF's Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Watch Now:Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with stories on what it means to be Hispanic American in Central Florida.
Looking for community events to attend? UCF's Puerto Rico Research Hub has you covered!
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