Please note…

This online screening has reached its registration capacity*.
* Except Arts Circle and Film Lover Members – see ‘Registration Information’ below.

Film Independent Members, you and a guest are invited to watch Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It in our Film Independent Presents Online Screening Room, powered by Vision Media. A special pre-recorded conversation with director/producer Mariem Pérez Riera, producer Brent Miller and featured subject Rita Moreno, moderated by director/actor Natalie Morales (Language Lessons, Plan B), is included as part of this screening experience.

Over a 70+ year career, Rita Moreno defied both her humble upbringing and relentless racism to become a celebrated and beloved actor, one of the rare EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award Winners of our time. Born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm, Moreno and her seamstress mother immigrated to New York City when Moreno was five years old. After studying dance and performing on Broadway, Moreno was cast as any ethnic minority the Hollywood studios needed filled, be it Polynesian, Native American or Egyptian. Despite becoming the first Latina actress to win an Academy Award® for her role as Anita in West Side Story (1961), the studios continued to offer Moreno lesser roles as stereotypical ethnic minorities, ignoring her proven talent.

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It illuminates the humor and the grace of Moreno, as well as lesser-known struggles faced on her path to stardom, including pernicious Hollywood sexism and abuse, a toxic relationship with Marlon Brando, and serious depression a year before she emerged as an Oscar winner. Moreno’s talent and resilience triumphed over adversity, as she broke barriers, fought for representation and forged the path for new generations of artists.

From Roadside Attractions, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It is now available on VOD.

2021, 89 minutes, color | Directed by Mariem Pérez Riera | Featuring George Chakiris, Héctor Elizondo, Gloria Estefan, Tom Fontana, Morgan Freeman, Mitzi Gaynor, Whoopi Goldberg, Norman Lear, Eva Longoria, Justina Machado, Terrence McNally, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Rita Moreno, Karen Olivo | Produced by Mariem Pérez Riera, Brent Miller p.g.a. | Executive Produced by Michael Kantor, Lyn Davis Lear, Norman Lear, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Regina K. Scully

Registration Information

All Film Independent Members can register for this online screening starting at 4:00 pm on Thursday, October 28. | Registration is free; one registration per Membership. | Proof of Member status is required to complete registration.

Arts Circle and Film Lover Members are guaranteed access to this event; email membership@filmindependent.org for more information.

How to Watch

On the first day of screening availability, registered Members (and guests, when applicable) will be emailed a secure link by our partner Vision Media to watch this title in the Film Independent Presents Online Screening Room.

Online Screening Policies

Availability window and registration capacity may vary; always register as early as possible to ensure access. Links are watermarked, nontransferable and may only be used by the Member who completed the registration. Limit one link per Membership, per event.

Members are required to follow all rules and guidelines as laid out by Film Independent and/or its partners. If a guest has been registered for an event by a Member, these policies shall apply to that guest. Violation of policies may result in suspension or termination of Membership.

Event details and guest participation are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.