04/29/2025
In this challenging time that we are living, all efforts aiming to rally communities and unite people are of vital importance. It was a delight to partake in AfroMundo film festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from April 13th to April 19th, 2025.
The AfroMundo 2025 film festival's theme was: Troubled territories. The will to heal.
As a filmmaker and a humanitarian, at times there is a feeling of discouragement and powerlessness that takes over the hard work that I do as a storyteller to change the narrative of my home country, Ayiti. Discouragement and powerlessness when witnessing atrocities like the most recent unlawful deportation of pregnant women from the Dominican Republic among others; iniquities in the USA and other places against immigrants, against Haitians or again witnessing the disarray in my home country and other countries that were featured in the festival like Palestine, Cuba and Hawaii.
The founder of the festival is Maritza Perez born in the Dominican Republic of Dominican parents. Maritza did not witness the 1937 Parsley massacre in the DR against Haitians, however, in many ways, she has suffered the deep traumas caused by that erroneous murder. In her way, Maritza turned the traumas that she endured from that event that was perpetrated by her countrymen towards Haitians to heal wounds. How? Through the mission of the AfroMudo Festival. AfroMundo’s vision is to connect diasporic communities, foster alliances and provide a visible platform from which we share our narratives towards a common goal of advancing equity, healing, joy and hope.
I witnessed and experienced all of the above at the recent AfroMundo Festival. During the projection of “Ayiti Pap Peri”, many weeped at the current suffering of the country while discovering, through the narrative, the true essence of Ayiti. At the screening of the Hawaiian documentary “Standing above the clouds”, the persistent and successful activism of mother- daughter protecting the sacred mountain Mauna Kea from desecration, gave hope. Viewing the the Israeli-Palestinian documentary "No Other Land", Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature at the 97th Academy Award, gave the epitome of respect and profound admiration for citizens who vow to defend their land despite all. I saw the enlightenment in the eyes of many as they listened to stories about Ayiti, Cuba, Hawaii and Palestine.
Afro Mundo wasn't simply a presentation of films followed by discussions but an activity where healing, deep connection and alliances occurred as echoed in the organization's mission. The experience was elevated by the culinary artistry of three female chefs— our vibrant Cynthia Verna of Haiti, Palestinian-Syrian chef Reem Assil, and Norma Naranjo of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo—who nourished the body and spirit with dishes steeped in cultural tradition. The festival also expanded into the realm of contemporary art through a powerful presentation and dialogue between interdisciplinary artists Ash Arder and Nikesha Breeze, culminating in an engaging public Q&A.
Healing was offered at the Afro Mundo through a series of cross-cultural healing sessions that brought together traditions from across the globe—Hawaiian chants, Alaskan drumming, New Mexican blessings, Haitian spiritual rituals, and Cuban ancestral practices. These multi-generational moments served as a grounding force, creating a sacred space for reflection, restoration, and unity. Elders, youth, artists, and community members stood side by side, participating in rituals that honored lineage while building bridges across cultures.
Afro Mundo is a festival where seeds are dropped with the hope that what emerges will take root in communities, conversations, and collaborations.
Thank you Maritza for the vision of the Afro Mundo Festival. Adolphe Pierre-Louis, one of the board members of the festival graciously invited “Ayiti Pap Peri” to the appreciation of the audience of Albuquerque, the land of Enchantment. I am forever grateful for the experience.
Cassandre Thrasybule
Human Interaction Foundation
