Running to Stand Still-Documentary

Local filmmakers present their recent documentary film Running to Stand Still– Migrants Search for Hope in the Promised Land on December 8, 2025 at the Dryden Theatre at The George Eastman Museum

ROCHESTER, NY –

Worldwide Documentaries, a local not-for-profit documentary film production
company, announces a special event featuring a screening of its recently released film, Running To Stand Still- Migrants Search For Hope In The Promised Land on December 8, 2025 from 7:00 – 9:30 PM at the Dryden Theatre. The film puts a human face on the world’s immigrant and migrant communities and depicts the human toll U.S. immigration policies are taking on children and families across the United States. Attendees will watch a screening of the film followed by the premiere of a short advocacy video highlighting the current realities impacting local immigrant communities in Rochester and the surrounding WNY/CNY regions, and an engaging town hall style panel discussion.

The town hall discussion, moderated by Gary Craig, will feature panelists including City of Rochester
Mayor Malik Evans (Introduction); Mitch Gruber, Rochester City Council; Miguel Meléndez, Rochester
City Council, Ibero-American Action League; Mary Andrecolich-Montesano (Diaz), Principal of the
Rochester International Academy; Jim Morris, VP, Family Prosperity, Catholic Charities Family &
Community Services; and Irene Sanchez, Executive Director, Enlace Services, Inc. (WNY Coalition of
Farmworker Serving Agencies, Inc.).

“Through discussions with local organizations and individuals working on the frontlines of immigration
issues, we have learned that there is an immediate need in the Rochester and surrounding WNY/CNY
communities for an awareness and advocacy communications tool to support the critical ongoing work of those who are advocating for the rights of vulnerable immigrants,” says Heidi Ostertag, Executive
Producer.

To address this need, the team at Worldwide Documentaries has produced a 2-minute video,
which will be shown following the film, and it will share stories about the challenges faced by local
immigrant communities, the response to these realities, and identify pathways to immigration reform from a local perspective.

Attendees at the December 8 event, and organizations and groups working with local and regional
immigrant communities, will be provided a special link to the video, at no cost, to use in their advocacy
work. Based on their past distribution experience, producers say the video can be an effective
communications tool in a variety of settings including fundraising events, and as an introduction to the
immigration issue at advocacy / awareness gatherings, church services, classrooms, libraries, voter
registration rallies, and more.

Initially launched in the Fall of 2024 prior to the presidential election, the 25-minute documentary,
Running, tells the heartbreaking and inspiring stories about the migrants themselves—courageous and
dignified human beings whose lives stand as a powerful rebuke to a narrative that is fraught with alarmist rhetoric, and dehumanizing stereotypes. The film is intended to encourage thoughtful dialogue, educate the public about the injustices of our current system, and help identify pathways to humane immigration reform.

In response to the current Presidential administration’s systemic reshaping of U.S. asylum and migrant
policies, Worldwide Documentaries producers have made the decision to selectively update Running To
Stand Still in the coming months to accurately reflect what is happening on the ground today in
communities all across the U.S.

“The updated version will be even more impactful to audiences as we seek not only to tell the human
stories of who immigrants are and why they immigrate to the U.S., but to also present the facts to the
American people regarding the millions of immigrants and communities across the U.S. who are being
affected by these current inhumane policies,” Ostertag explains.

The updated version of the film is anticipated for release in the first quarter of 2026. Details about
Running To Stand Still can be found at runningtostandstillfilm.com.
Registration is required to attend the December 8, 2025 event and can be completed online at
runningtostandstillfilm.com/screenings.

______________________________

Founded in 1985 by producer/writer/director and Oscar® nominee Robert Bilheimer, Worldwide
Documentaries, Inc. is an award winning, not-for-profit film production company located in Bloomfield,
NY which focuses on subjects of social, cultural, and humanitarian concern. For more information, visit
www.worldwidedocumentaries.com.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Temple B’rith Kodesh, Rabbi Peter W. Stein | The Southeast Rochester Catholic Community
(Blessed Sacrament Church, St. Boniface, and St. Mary’s) | Fr. John Loncle, Deacon Duncan Harris | Jeff Joseph, Mitchell
Joseph Insurance