Experiencing Interruptions?

To Life!

Across generations, many of us share a history of searching for home, belonging, and community. For some, this journey includes shame imposed on our culture, challenges to our spiritual choices, and the ongoing erasure or devaluation of our lived experiences. These injustices persist today, and those who identify as women often face them more frequently, making it normalized, dismissed, or deemed acceptable.
To Life! is a short movement film that honors the resilience of women worldwide who, despite grief, loss, and imbalance, continue to create joy, nurture community, and bring light into the world. Through embodied expression, the film centers strength, survival, and collective care as acts of resistance.
This film is especially dedicated to Palestinian women, whose courage and labor are foundational to the struggle for Palestinian liberation. The soundtrack features three Palestinian female artists, and traditional Palestinian tatreez that is incorporated into the costumes as a visual and cultural tribute.
We offer To Life! as both a celebration and a call to action. Let's live in love and not in fear. Let us remember, witness, and acknowledge injustice. Let it fuel us to continue creating work rooted in truth and liberation. We hope this film moves you. From the river to the sea!

  • Gloria Ester Lanuza
    Director
  • Gloria Lanuza
    Writer
  • Gloria GLO Unlimited Lanuza
    Producer
  • Cynthia Morales
    Producer
  • Fredrick Lanuza
    Producer
  • Gloria Lanuza
    Key Cast
    "Dancer - Ayoon of Paradise"
  • Jayna Manoushe
    Key Cast
    "Dancer - Ayoon of Paradise"
  • Angela Zambrano
    Key Cast
    "Dancer - Ayoon of Paradise"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 21, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    Arabic
  • Shooting Format:
    Standard HD
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Al-Raqs Film Festival
    International
    January 22, 2026
    Virtual International Premiere
    Best Story, Best Theatre Film, People's Choice
Director Biography - Gloria Ester Lanuza

Gloria Lanuza is a performance artist, educator, and producer dedicated to advancing global arts as a unifying medium for peace and understanding. Empowered by dynamic arts experiences from an early age, Gloria is committed to excellence in craft, authentic representation, and engaging creative aesthetics. She believes that thoughtfully crafted performing arts experiences can open minds, touch hearts, and spark meaningful dialogue. And that honest creative expression has the power to change the world.
Through her production company, GLO Unlimited, Gloria focuses on event and concert bookings while continuing to collaborate with a wide range of local and international dance and performance artists. Ayoon of Paradise Bellydance Ensemble (the cast of "To Life!) is directed by Gloria Lanuza and Jayna Manoushe, operates under GLO Unlimited and centers traditional, fusion and theatre Bellydance genres. Lanuza is also in the process of reviving The WAO Experience, a community-centered arts collaborative rooted in connection and empowerment.
Gloria teaches private classes, workshops, and masterclasses, and presents lectures on world art and arts empowerment. Her work centers on innovative, culturally respectful fusion, creating immersive artistic experiences that inspire connection, curiosity, and collective understanding.

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Director Statement

Although I have had to make many other dance videos for promotion and marketing purpose, this was my first attempt at a short dance-movement film. It was such an important experience for me and very unplanned. I collaborated with the dancers from the Bellydance company I co-direct, Ayoon of Paradise, because we all have a strong stance on the ongoing occupation of Palestine and want to do more art-ivism through our love for Bellydance. I worked with a very small team of 5 people total, that I trust to make this happen. We used very basic equipment and software for filming and editing. The entire process was a reminder that we don't need fancy equipment to tell a story. The most important thing is to keep creating and sharing your art! Thank you all for watching and for your support.
-Gloria Lanuza
GLO Unlimited