Director & producer
Kristal Sotomayor
Kristal Sotomayor is a filmmaker, journalist and curator based in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Their work spans documentary and narrative storytelling.
Filmmaker biographyRIFF 2026 · PROGRAM 03 · 21 min
Expanding Sanctuary
Kristal Sotomayor
THE STORY
An immigrant mother emerges as a community leader during the historic campaign to end the sharing of the Philadelphia police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Expanding Sanctuary tells a rarely told story about a Latinx immigrant community’s successful journey to change legislation and protect families.
*Featuring exclusive music produced by Las Cafeteras*
Behind the film
Watch the trailer
A CLOSER LOOK
From the film
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