For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Contact: Deborah Tudor, Associate Dean, SIU College of Mass Communications and Media Arts, (618) 453-4308, dtudor@siu.edu
Local Community Cinema Series Kicks Off New Season on September 28
MCMA, WSIU, Carbondale Public Library to Host Monthly Film Screenings Through May 2014
Carbondale, Ill. -- The SIU Carbondale College of Mass Communications and Media Arts (MCMA), WSIU Public Broadcasting, and the Carbondale Public Library have joined forces for a third season of Community Cinema, a series of free film screenings from the PBS series Independent Lens. Each screening will be held at the library on the last Saturday of every month at 2:30pm. Screenings will be held monthly through May 2014, except for the months of November, December, and January.
The new season kicks off on Saturday, September 28 at 2:30pm with The Graduates. Discussion facilitators for the September film are Dan Elgin, Community Counselor and SIU alumnus, and Dr. Danielle Soto, Assistant Professor, SIU Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.
Exploring the roots of the Latino dropout crisis through the eyes of six young adults, The Graduates profiles students who are part of an on-going effort to increase graduation rates for a growing Latino population in the United States. The students in this film offer a first-hand perspective on the challenges facing many Latino high school students, including over-crowded schools, crime-ridden neighborhoods, teen pregnancy, and pressure to contribute to the family finances. The Graduates is an eye-opening introduction to many of the resilient young people who will shape America's future. Additional details about the film are available at www.pbs.org/independentlens/graduates.
The remaining schedule is as follows: The State of Arizona (October 26), Las Marthas (February 22), The Trials of Muhammad Ali (March 29), Medora (April 26), and The NewBlack (May 31). Each screening will feature a facilitator and guest speakers who will participate in a discussion with the audience about the topics raised in the films. Learn more about each film and watch a preview online at http://www.wsiu.org/communitycinema.
Community Cinema is a groundbreaking civic engagement initiative from the Independent Television Service (ITVS) that brings to light unforgettable stories about unique individuals, underrepresented communities, or pivotal moments in history. The film events are designed to bring together organizations, community members, and public television stations to discuss and get involved in the key social issues of our time.
For more information about WSIU's Community Cinema screenings, visit our local website at http://www.wsiu.org/communitycinema or contact Deborah Tudor, Associate Dean, SIU College of Mass Communications and Media Arts, at (618) 453-4308 or dtudor@siu.edu.
Community Cinema is a service of Independent Television Services (ITVS) and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
About WSIU Public Broadcasting
WSIU Public Broadcasting is licensed to the Board of Trustees of Southern Illinois University and is an integral part of the College of Mass Communication & Media Arts on the Carbondale campus. The WSIU stations reach more than three million people across five states and beyond through three digital public television channels, three public radio stations, a radio information service, a website, and an education and community outreach department.
WSIU's mission is to improve the quality of life of the people they serve. The WSIU stations partner with other community organizations to promote positive change and to support the academic and public service missions of Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Learn more and get the latest station news online at wsiu.org and on WSIU's Facebook and Twitter pages.
WSIU's programs and services are partially funded by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
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