Immigration Documentaries to be Featured at Julien Dubuque International Film Festival Special Screening

Runde Auto Group is proud to be a driving force behind the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival. The 2018 festival is set for April 26-29 in downtown Dubuque. All films are FREE on Runde Free Day, Thursday, April 26. See you at the fest!

The Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism’s film Los Lecheros will be featured with a special screening at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival.

 The film will be shown at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 at the Dubuque Museum of Art. Before the film at noon, there will be a chance for mingling with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. The event is free.

The 21-min documentary short explores how the fates of undocumented immigrant workers and Wisconsin’s $43 billion dairy industry are intertwined. Both are grappling with their options for survival as fears of  ICE raids and deportations under the Trump administration grow. Watch Trailer

The film is sponsored by The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, Inclusive Dubuque, and Humanities Iowa.

“We are proud to support the screening of Los Lecheros,” said Nancy Van Milligan, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. “This film’s message, which highlights the plight of immigrant workers on a Midwest dairy farm, closely aligns with our foundation’s key values – building awareness around the importance of ensuring equity and promoting economic opportunity for all people.  Film is a wonderful medium for community members to learn together about life experiences different than our own. The more we understand, the greater the opportunities we have to build a stronger, more vibrant community.”

Another short film, Joy, will also be shown at the special screening. The three-minute drama deals with the distress of being an immigrant woman in America, contrasted against the courteousness one must always present.

“I’m honored to have the support of our sponsors to bring these important films to Dubuque,” said Susan Gorrell, executive director of the film festival.

There will be a Q&A panel after the films. Participants include:

• Coburn Dukehart, digital and multimedia director for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism. Dukhart previously was a senior photo editor at National Geographic.
• John Rosenow, lead subject and farmer in the documentary Los Lecheros
• Lorena Lourenco, director of the film Joy
• Joy Okon, actress from the film Joy
• Sister Mary McCauley, BVM, is a member of the Sisters of Charity, BVM of Dubuque. She offered pastoral presence and support to over 400 people after the immigration raid in 2008 at Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa. Now retired from active ministry, she educates and advocates for comprehensive immigration reform.

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, April 26-29 in downtown Dubuque, attracts filmmakers from all over the United States and countries including Czech Republic, Germany, France, Mexico, Australia, and more. For updates and more information, visit julienfilmfest.com or download the Julien Dubuque Film Festival app.