Special screening of ‘Running to Stand Still’ slated

As the debate over immigration intensifies, Worldwide Documentaries brings the conversation home with a special screening of its recent film.

“Running to Stand Still – Migrants Search for Hope in the Promised Land,” will be shown at the George Eastman Museum’s Dryden Theatre Dec. 8. The film “puts a human face on the world’s immigrant and migrant communities” and shows the toll U.S. immigration policies are taking on children and families, the production company says.

After the film, attendees will watch an advocacy video titled “When They Come for Me,” which focuses on local immigrant communities—in Rochester and the surrounding regions—and engage with a town hall-style panel discussion moderated by retired Democrat & Chronicle reporter Gary Craig, a Rochester Beacon contributing writer.

“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.  

The town hall discussion will feature:

■ an introduction by Rochester Mayor Malik Evans; 

■ Mitch Gruber, Rochester City Councilmember;

■ Miguel Meléndez, Rochester City Councilmember and Ibero-American Action League chief community engagement officer;

■ Mary Andrecolich-Montesano, principal of the Rochester International Academy;

■ Jim Morris, vice president of family prosperity, Catholic Charities Family and Community Services; and 

■ Irene Sanchez, executive director, Enlace Services Inc. (WNY Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies Inc.).

The advocacy video highlights the challenges immigrant communities face, the efforts to address them and a possible route to immigration reform. At the event, attendees, organizations and groups working with local and regional immigrant communities will get a link to the video to use in their work. 

“Running to Stand Still” was released last fall, before the presidential election, to spark dialogue and educate the public. Much has changed since then. Now, in response to the Trump administration’s latest stance on asylum and migrant policies, Worldwide Documentaries producers have decided to update the film.

“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 says.

The updated version of the film is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2026. Founded by Oscar nominee Robert Bilheimer in 1985, Bloomfield’s Worldwide Documentaries focuses on subjects of social, cultural and humanitarian issues.

“Running to Stand Still – Migrants Search for Hope in the Promised Land” will be screened at the Dryden Theatre on Dec. 8 from 7-9:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be completed here.

Smriti Jacob is Rochester Beacon managing editor. 

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