Salma Hayek will appear at the Film Society for an informal chat in the Amphitheater about her latest project, the animated feature Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet, on which she served as a producer and lent her voice. Based on the book of the title (which has sold over 100 million copies in 40 languages since its publication in 1923), the film, opening August 7, intersperses Gibran’s elegant poetry with stunning animated sequences by Tomm Moore (Song of the Sea), Nina Paley (Sita Sings the Blues), Bill Plympton (Guide Dog), and a host of other award-winning animators from around the world. Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet is set in a Mediterranean seaside village where Kamila (Hayek) cleans house for the exiled artist and poet Mustafa (Liam Neeson), but the more difficult job is keeping her free-spirited young daughter, Almitra (Quvenzhané Wallis), out of trouble. The trio embark on a journey meant to end with Mustafa’s return home—but first they must evade the authorities who fear that Mustafa’s words will incite rebellion.

Hayek is well known for her work in front of the camera with roles in Dogma, Desperado, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Savages, Wild Wild West, and Frida (which earned her an Oscar nomination) and small-screen appearances on 30 Rock and Ugly Betty. Hayek also works extensively behind the camera, where she has served as both director and producer (and as executive-producer of Ugly Betty). In 2003, Hayek produced and directed the Showtime film The Maldonado Miracle, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing in a Children/Youth/Family Special. Hayek will talk about her work both as an actress and a filmmaker.