Street Smart: Lessons from a TV Icon

From the Bronx to Sesame Street, Sonia Manzano broke ground as Maria, becoming an influential Latina figure who transformed kids’ TV through her decades-long role. This uplifting portrait honors a beloved Latina role model who made an impressive and indelible mark on children’s television.

STREET SMART: Lessons from a TV Icon is a feature documentary about Sonia Manzano — known to millions as “Maria” from Sesame Street. The film follows Sonia’s remarkable journey, from a young girl in the South Bronx finding refuge in television, to becoming the first Latina on American TV in a regular role, through 44 years on screen on Sesame Street, and now as the creator of Alma’s Way. Featuring interviews with luminaries, original animation, and scripted scenes that blend humor and heart, this inspirational documentary invites viewers to learn once again from this beloved icon.