UIS Speaker Series presents a screening and discussion of the documentary "Immigrant Nation!"

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Engaged Citizenship Common Experience (ECCE) Speaker Series will present a screening of the documentary Immigrant Nation! Following the screening, a discussion will be led by Esaú Meléndez, the film’s director and producer.

WHEN: Friday, April 22, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.

WHERE: UIS Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library

DETAILS: Immigrant Nation! is a story of Elvira Arellano, a figurehead for the immigration reform movement, and her one-year asylum in a church sanctuary to avoid deportation in 2006-2007. This film humanizes the issue of immigration reform and helps people understand the struggles of undocumented individuals and the issues they face. The film won several awards in 2010 including "Best Documentary" at the Chicago and San Antonio film festivals, and continues to be relevant today as the issue of immigration reform remains on the forefront of the U.S. political scene.

Director and producer Esaú Meléndez emigrated from Mexico City where he spent most of his childhood, and presently lives in Chicago with his family. He has been involved in film and TV production for the past 10 years, working as a director, producer, cameraman and editor. He studied film & video at Columbia College in Chicago, and soon after began working with the Spanish Broadcast Network, Telemundo, and WYCC, a Chicago PBS affiliate. He has also directed award winning short films El Solo in a New City and Escucha! Meléndez has directed and produced various commercials and music videos with his production company. His passion has always been to tell stories regarding social issues that affect the Hispanic community.

This event is co-sponsored by the UIS Diversity Center, Chicano Latino Male Society and Cygnets. For a list of other upcoming ECCE Speaker Series events and more information, visit www.uis.edu/speakerseries/. All events are free and open to the public.