Thursday April 12, 2012 

Phoenix College Latino Film Festival to show first public screening of a work in progress:  "Arizona's Mexican Heritage: An American Story" 
 When: Thursday April 12th at 7PM at Phoenix College in the Bulpitt Auditorium 1202 W. Thomas Rd.

 A public screening of a "work in progress" film will be shown at Phoenix College as part of the Latino Film Festival.  The film will be shown Thursday, April 12th  at 7 pm at the Bulpitt Auditorium on the campus of Phoenix College. 

 The Bulpitt Auditorium is the large auditorium in the center of the Phoenix College campus located at 1202 W. Thomas Rd.   This "work in progress" is part of a multi part series entitled,Arizona's Mexican Heritage:  An American Story and is an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project. 

You are invited to come and see the progress we are making toward completing this much needed part of the Arizona Story.

Arizona’s Mexican Heritage: An American Story: Episode 1.  The Origins.

Synopsis: This “work in progress” film directed by Dr. Pete R. Dimas, is the first part of a larger Arizona Centennial Legacy Project that provides perspectives on Arizona’s past, present, and, its future.  Episode 1: “The Origins” explores the evolution of Arizona’s Mexican heritage that is local and global, prehistoric and historic, and largely ignored.  This first episode film concludes with the comments and actions of former Mexican citizens, some of whom resisted the American invasion of their homeland, who served in the military forces of the United States in defense of their new country during, and immediately following the American Civil War. (50 min.)

A DISCUSSION WITH THE WRITER/PRODUCER FOLLOWS THE FILM SCREENING

Director Pete R. Dimas received a doctorate in history with specializations in Colonial and Modern Latin America, Mexico, and the Southwest, with additional fields of Social Work Theory and Public Policy Analysis.  He is Emeritus Professor of History, Phoenix College, and currently Faculty Affiliate of the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. In his roles as writer, editor, consultant, coordinator, board member and committee person for local and national organizations, Dr. Dimas has sought to raise awareness of Latino history, culture, issues, and contributions, and to weave them into the overall fabric of American life.  His earlier film, Los Veteranos of World War II: A Mission for Social Change in Central Arizona was previously showcased at Phoenix College and was broadcast on KAET in 2007.

This film was made possible by the Braun-Sacred Heart Center and is funded with a grants from the Arizona Humanities Council, Arizona Public Service, and the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 99.   Additional support is provided by the School of Transborder Studies at Arizona State University. This project is an official Centennial Legacy Project approved by the Arizona Historical Advisory Commission.