"America's Family": A Film Screening and Discussion

Join writer and director, Anike Tourse for a screening of her film "America's Family". The 84 minute film will be screened followed by a brief break with light snacks and a conversation with Anike. Participants are encouraged to ask questions. In this film, we watch as each member of an immigrant family braves their way through crisis and discovers unexpected reserves of love, faith and the restorative resilience of community and the enduring power of family. Read more details about the film below: When ICE raids the Diaz home on Thanksgiving, the family is ripped apart. Mother Marisol is arrested and detained, father Jorge is forced to seek refuge in a synagogue, and eldest son Koke is deported. Middle son Emiliano, a first year attorney, launches a crusade in the courts to reunite the family. The impact of family separation hits daughter Valentina, who has epilepsy, especially hard as her seizures increase without the care of her parents. Valentina channels her experience to spark a social media campaign, sharing the family story with the world. . . . Anike Tourse (’92) is a Jewish, BIPOC social artist, working as a writer, director, actress and producer in film, television and theater. Anike is acting in the production "Eureka Day" at the Mad Horse theater in Portland, Maine through October 2026. Her award winning films are available on almost all VOD platforms in multiple languages in more than 61 countries and have been broadcast on such national television outlets as Telemundo, Televisión and LatiNation TV for an audience of more than 6.5 million. Anike’s work is collaborative, working in partnership between artists, activists and community members to advocate for social justice. As diverse artists often lack access and visibility, Anike’s production company Mixed Operations has a mentorship driven culture employing casts and crews consisting predominantly people of color. An advocate for reaching underserved audiences, Anike is a member-owner of film distribution cooperative New Day Films, serving as the Equity & Representation Team Lead for the Co-op Steering Committee. Anike has an undergraduate degree in Rhetoric and Film Studies from Bates College and an MFA in acting from The Ohio State University. Anike is also a talented cook and baker and finds ways to sneak delectable images of foodstuffs and food preparation into her work whenever she can.