Documentary closer to the stars
CULTURE
Vibra Latina is an independent audiovisual production company with social and environmental impact, since 2019 it produces interviews, reports, short films and documentaries inspired by issues of education, sustainability, children's rights, diversity, equity and inclusion.
Vibra Latina with the support and partnership of Space Center Houston who is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center
The documentary "Closer to the Stars" is an original production of Vibra Latina and is inspired by a group of Colombian teachers who day by day encourage and impact their student community through the love for science, overcoming their own challenges and those of their communities, proposing solutions and being creators of opportunities. In the story we also see the commitment of the students to get ahead and achieve their dreams, and how, despite the difficulties,
The documentary tells different stories, especially the story of Oscar Neira, an educator who studied in a public school in Tunja, Colombia, as a child and today is the International Educational Programs Specialist at Space Center Houston and shows how he gives back to his country what he has been able to achieve thanks to the education and support he received in Colombia.
"The story of the educators is inspiring, the central and true message is the love for education, for science, the importance of a support network such as family and friends who contribute to making communities stronger and human beings more inclusive.
With this audiovisual production, we want to be part of the change and trace a path of opportunities for the development and access to careers in the aerospace, engineering and science sectors in Latin American countries through a quality, innovative and modern education"
Gabby Baptista
Producer and CEO of Vibra Latina, writer and executive producer of the play.
Highlights from the premiere of the documentary "Closer to the Stars"
The Honorable Consuls of Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Ecuador were present at a private cocktail at the Space Center Houston Club as part of the premiere of the documentary. The Consul General of Colombia, Andrés Diez, quoted a few words of congratulations and appreciation for the making of the documentary "Closer to the Stars"
The documentary "Closer to the Stars" was part of the SEEC (Space Exploration Educators Conference) program, the attendance of the documentary exceeded 270 people, with an audience mostly of educators. Also in attendance were Megan Mc Arthur, Astronaut and Chief Scientist at Space Center Houston, Donald James, NASA Education Administrator, Dr. Pilar Archila, Research Results Manager at NASA's Office of Science Programs, Mike For
A panel discussion was held after the screening of the documentary moderated by Daniel Newmyer, Director of Education at Space Center Houston, with the participation of Mr. William T. Harris, CEO and President of Space Center Houston, Gabby Baptista, CEO of Vibra Latina, Production Director, Executive Producer and Writer of the play, Iván Rodríguez Zerrate, CEO of Glocal Advantage, Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Space Center Houston, Juan Pablo Copello Film director of the play and Mike Foreman, a retired NASA astronaut who makes a wonderful appearance in several scenes of the documenta
Gabby Baptista, CEO of Vibra Latina, Production Director, Executive Producer and Writer of the play, presented a plaque as a symbol of gratitude to the educators who participated in the documentary: Professor and Administrator of Oakland Colegio Campestre Fernando Ruiz, Professor Ricardo Sánchez of the I.E Académico Cartago, Sandra Barragan Consultant of Educational Programs, Oscar Neira, International Educational Programs Specialist at Space Center Houston, Also participants in the work such as Mr. William T. Harris President and CEO of Space Center Houston, Iván Rodríguez Zerrate CEO of Glocal Advantage, Executive Producer and Vice Chairman of the Board of Space Center Houston and Mike Foreman retired NASA astronaut.