Every year, millions of people move across international borders to seek better opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities. The UWindsor Department of Sociology and Criminology is sponsoring the screening of one such story at the Windsor International Film Festival.

In Unseen, director Set Hernandez introduces Pedro, an aspiring social worker who dreams of securing a job after graduation to support his family and provide mental health services for underserved communities. As a blind, undocumented immigrant from Mexico, Pedro’s path is strewn with heartbreaking challenges and political obstructions, but he also has the unconditional support of a community that will stand by him.

The film will be screened at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, and at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Capitol Pentastar theatre.

The department has a significant concentration of professors with expertise in migration, including new assistant professor Carlo Handy Charles.

“Migration is driven by people pursuing their fundamental human rights to move and better themselves, geopolitics, climate change, instability, and significant inequalities pertaining to class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and health, among others,” says Dr. Charles.

His colleague Natalie Delia says the department hopes that the film will spur discussion about how migration is an issue that affects not only individuals but the social fabric of public structures and institutions.

“Windsor is in the middle of a community conversation about how we are handling our position at the crossroads of global refugee streams,” says Dr. Delia, director of Interdisciplinary and Critical Studies. “We are also still coming to understand our position as a crucial landing point for migrants who have either been pushed from home or pulled to opportunity. WIFF’s holding of space — in this moment — for this fantastic film and the accompanying conversation is an unmissable opportunity.”

Find more info and book tickets on the festival website.