Lakay Fest in Little Haiti

Film, music, dance and neighborhood storytelling come together for a daylong festival rooted in Little Haiti’s culture and community life. Lakay Fest in Little Haiti takes place Saturday, May 30 with programming at Libreri Mapou, Lakou and other neighborhood locations. Powered by Cinemóvil, the festival activates the area through screenings, conversation, a photo walk, a konpa dance class and an outdoor film presentation.

The day begins at Libreri Mapou with Lakay Se Lakay: Neighborhood Resilience in a Changing City, a panel discussion on housing, development and community organizing moderated by Leonie Hermantin of Sant La. Speakers include Santra Denis of Miami Workers Center and Rayna Milfort of Miami Homes for All. A short film program presented by Third Horizon follows, exploring shifting ideas of home through work by Miami filmmakers.

Additional programming includes a Mapping Miami photo walk led by Haitian photographer Christopher Mitchell and presented by Buen Provecho Collective, followed by a beginner konpa class with Konpa on the Rise at Lakou. The evening continues with a day party presented by Masisi, with music by Mr. Before I Die.

The festival closes with an outdoor screening of Mountains, the 2023 film set in and inspired by Little Haiti, preceded by Juan Luis Matos’ short film You Can Always Come Home. Seating is first come, first served, and guests are encouraged to bring a beach chair for the outdoor screening.