News Article

SPOKANE, Wash. – More than 7,000 high schools, colleges, churches and other organizations serving immigrants will learn about unaccompanied immigrant children through “Posada,” an award-winning documentary film written, directed and produced by Rev. Mark McGregor, assistant professor of communication arts at Gonzaga University.

Jesuit Rev. Mark McGregor with Amalia Molina, author of "The Power of Love: El Poder del Amor."

Recently, “Posada” was selected by The Big Picture Documentary Film Series for Faith and Culture in Los Angeles. The free public screening of Posada will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Rose Hills Auditorium of Mount St. Mary’s College, in Los Angeles.

“Posada” is part of the Posadas Project, a national initiative in the United State that McGregor directs. It promotes Las Posadas and education and advocacy for immigrants.

“The project’s overall goal is to help motivate millions of people to participate in Las Posadas. The project also affirms America’s heritage as refuge for immigrants and refugees,” Rev. McGregor said. “My deeper motivation to do ‘Posada’ came from hope-filled conversations with the film’s featured subjects – Densi, Johny, Wilber and Amalia.”

The Amalia, Rev. McGregor mentions, is Amalia Molina, author of “The Power of Love: El Poder del Amor.” Its featured youth are Johnny Figueroa, Densi Diaz and Wilber Garcia. Among the film’s experts and advocates, is narrator Javier Stauring, a Human Rights Watch honoree and co-director of the Office of Restorative Justice for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Rev. Rick Ryscayage, S.J. Director of the Center for Faith and Public Action at Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn.

“Posada” represents McGregor’s artistic response to the American Bishops’ call for the Justice for Immigrants campaign. The documentary was inspired by Las Posadas, the annual Mexican Christmas celebration that is also held in many Latino communities in the United States.

Recent grants from Our Sunday Visitor Foundation and the Catholic Communication Campaign have paid for development of a DVD companion guide, an updated Web site, distribution of “Posada” and other resources to help communities affected by immigration. An important development is the “Build A Bigger Posadas” Contest, which aims to unite schools, churches and organizations serving migrants and refugees.

“Posada” received the Best Short Documentary award from the 2008 Orlando Hispanic Film Festival, and earned the Prize for Human Rights and Religion by the 2007 Religion Today International Film Festival in Trent, Italy. The Telly Awards gave it a Bronze Award. Rev. McGregor produced “Posada” with students and production assistance from Fairfield University, where he taught from 2003-2007. Its post-production was overseen by Loyola Productions, Inc. Rev. McGregor also received a fellowship from Santa Clara University to help with the project.

“Posada” is available to retailers and direct consumers at www.LoyolaProductions.com.Journalists can receive additional information about “Posada” through its Pressroom or through Joseph Ossello at (509) 768-1673 or via e-mail.