OMAHA, Neb. – Nebraska Loves Public Schools – a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting public education through film – will host two screenings of its new immigrant and refugee documentary in Omaha and Lincoln, 7 p.m. Sept. 13 and Sept. 14, respectively. Events will feature interactive Q&A with cast and film director, and Take Action reception with area nonprofits

Seeds of Hope, from the award-winning creators of the I Love Public Schools project, offers a look inside the globalization of Nebraska’s classrooms. The new 35-minute film demonstrates how schools welcome and educate immigrant and refugee families as they start their lives over in America. Audiences will follow stories from Nebraska’s newcomer students: the inconceivable trauma and tribulations of their past, the perseverance to succeed in the present, and their hopes for a brighter future through quality education.

According to the Nebraska Department of Education, since 2000, Nebraska's public schools have seen a 113 percent increase in English Language Learner (ELL) students. The film illustrates the heightened importance of ELL education – how it impacts schools, the greater community, and the students and families involved.

Featured film participants include:

● Lincoln Public Schools

● Omaha Public Schools

● Chadron Public Schools

● Schuyler Public Schools

● Center for People in Need

● New Americans Task Force

● Yates Community Center

Immediately following the screening, there will be a Q&A with Director and Executive Producer Sally Nellson Barrett, featured cast members, and school leaders. A Take Action reception, where participants can learn ways to help immigrant and refugee students and families locally, will follow. All events are free and open to the public.

General tickets are available to the public via:

● Omaha, NE​ | RSVP: seedsofhopeOmaha.eventbrite.com

7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 | Aksarben Cinema

● Lincoln, NE​ | RSVP: Here!

7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 | Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center

Watch the film trailer: Here!

The film will be available to view online September 15: iloveps.org

About Nebraska Loves Public Schools

Since 2011, the Nebraska Loves Public Schools (NElovesPS) project has been documenting the stories happening in public schools across Nebraska. Seeds of Hope is one of the more than 50 ‘I Love Public Schools’ films the organization has created since its inception. NElovesPS – a 2013 Webby Awards Official Honoree, PovertyCure Film Festival Official Selection and Film Streams 2013 Local Filmmaker honoree – produces series of documentaries that explore a range of issues with the goal of raising awareness about Nebraska's public schools.

In addition to film, NElovesPS has started the ‘I Love Public Schools’ conversation nationwide. Nebraska Loves Public Schools is made possible by The Sherwood Foundation. To learn more visit nelovesps.org, Facebook (facebook.com/nelovesps) or Twitter (@nelovesps).

Nebraska Loves Public Schools is dedicated to supporting public education one documentary film at a time. We also are responsible for the I Love Public Schools shirts worn by Nebraskans everywhere.

For more information on this film and Nebraska Loves Public Schools, contact Brittany Mascio at brittany@nelovesps.org or 402-490-5786.