From the fields
to Broadway to Hollywood:
this is the Legend of Luis Valdez

Winner of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Audience Award and Festival Favorite at Sundance 2026. Available for institutional licensing.

Winner of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Audience Award and Festival Favorite at Sundance 2026. Available for institutional licensing.

From the fields
to Broadway to Hollywood:
this is the
Legend of Luis Valdez

Winner of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Audience Award and Festival Favorite at Sundance 2026. Available for institutional licensing.

Winner of the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Audience Award and Festival Favorite at Sundance 2026. Available for institutional licensing.

"I love this film. It’s a really remarkable achievement."

-Ken Burns
Documentarian

"American Pachuco… exemplifies the American Dream, telling a remarkable story of vision, creativity, and perseverance. It skillfully utilizes previously unseen archival materials."

-Robert Randolph Newlen
Acting Librarian of Congress

A generous homage to a major Latino talent.

The Hollywood Reporter

The Hollywood Reporter

Jordan Mintzer

One of my favorites of the festival.

NPR

NPR

Mandalit Del Barco

There isn’t a slack second in ‘American Pachuco.’

Moveable Fest

Moveable Fest

Stephen Saito

This documentary is essential viewing.

The Latino Slant

The Latino Slant

Rosa Parra

It’s not an overestimation to say that Latino storytelling in the U.S. owes plenty to what Valdez did.

Variety

Variety

Carlos Aguilar

Licensing and Ordering

Full Package

$650 USD

Blue Ray or DVD + Digital

Public Performance Rights (PPR)

Digital Site License

Digital Only

$550 USD

Digital download

Public Performance Rights (PPR)

Digital Site License

Includes 2K QuickTime, H264, Spanish Open Captions, English Open Captions, Audio Description version, VTT in English and Spanish.

How to order

Email americanpachuco@insigniafilms.com

Step 1

Receive invoice and vendor packet

Step 2

Institution issues PO

Step 3

*film ships on or after October 15, 2026, on day of national PBS broadcast.


POs accepted. Net 30. Shipping included.

Screened for 394 students across 8 schools and 3 counties in partnership with the Sundance Institute.

Student Voices

"This was a personally relevant and revealing movie to me and it helped me learn more about my own identity and love my roots. I’m grateful to see a part of me on the big screen and feel like I belong somewhere."