Last summer Mala shared with us a trailer for the film 9500 Liberty about Virginia’s Prince William County’s Anti-Immigration legislation acts that she saw at Netroots (which she is also seeking to attend this year so go vote for her to get a scholarship to attend!). She wrote:

On Day 2, I decided to make a more concerted effort to attend panels and events related to immigration and to meet up with some of the other immigrant blogger scholarship winners. After some morning blogging, it was to a lunch time screening of 9500 Liberty.

The independently made documentary by Annabel Park and Eric Byler takes the audience through Virginia’s Prince William County’s anti-immigrant and anti-Latino legislative actions and the protests against them. I thought it was really important for people to see how local initiatives across the country help add to the wider anti-immigrant rhetoric. It was also interesting to see how in progressive spaces, lip service can be paid to bloggers of color, specifically Latinos, while the hustle and dance is all about self-promotion and marketing.

Earlier this week my homegirl Elena, who lives in Surprise, Arizona, sent me an email announcing the premire of the film in Tempe, Avondale, and Scotsdale, AZ this week. Below is the screening information as it hits theaters tomorrow, Friday:

9500 LIBERTY
Tempe, AZ
9500 Liberty Theatrical Premiere
Starts Friday, April 30, 2010
Showtimes 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00*, 9:00*
Harkins Harkins Valley Art Theater
509 S Mill Ave.
Tempe, AZ 85281-3607
(480) 829-6666
* Director Eric Byler in person for Q&A after these shows on Opening Night,
Friday, April 30.

Avondale, AZ
9500 Liberty Theatrical Premiere
Starts Friday, April 30, 2010
Showtimes 10:00, 12:30*, 3:00*, 5:30*, 8:00, 10:30
Harkins Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18
10250 W. McDowell Road
Avondale, AZ 85323
(623) 478-9411
Director Eric Byler in person for Q&A on Sunday, May 2.

Scottsdale, AZ
9500 Liberty Theatrical Premiere
Starts Friday, April 30, 2010
Showtimes 10:40, 1:20*, 4:15*, 7:15*, 10:00
Harkins Harkins Scottsdale/101 Theatre
7000 E Mayo Blvd
Phoenix, AZ 85054
(480) 538-1707
Director Eric Byler in person for Q&A on Saturday, May 1.

I think the screening is coming at a very important time and if you are in the area please attend if you can. Both of the directors will be present to discuss the film on Friday evening. There also seems to have been an extended trailer that was created which is posted below.