Shari Robertson

This documentary film takes us to an in-depth look at the asylum process of the federal U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Foreigners that are already in the United States, having fled their home countries, have the opportunity to apply for asylum through the INS. If a person's case establishes a "well-founded fear" of his/her home country, the adjudicating immigration officer approves his/her asylum application. (imdb)

Summer, 2001: Secret negotiations between the governments of the U.S. and Mexico break into front page news, igniting a national debate over immigration. The moment seems like an incredible alignment of the stars, as advocates maneuver politicians to move further and faster. Then 9/11 attacks shatter those hopes. A heated city council race in Iowa tells a personal story about political engagement in difficult times, and previews the battle to come. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

When the White House proposes a small, immigrant-friendly provision be added to the stalled bill, it complicates the delay and becomes the catalyst for the birth of a permanent, powerful and organized national opposition to immigration reform. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

Summer, 2002: With Republicans in the White House and dominating Congress, the War on Terror makes politicians in either party eager to follow the President's lead. But even among Republicans, rivalries and political disagreements still have to play out in summer primaries. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

Winter, 2003: As the new Congress begins, pro-immigration advocates see a Kennedy bill as their the best bet. But across the Hill in the House, young staffers for two Republican congressmen from Arizona, Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, are quietly crafting something revolutionary -- a guestworker bill with a path to citizenship. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

October, 2003: Because the DREAM act is a small bi-partisan bill to help kids, supporters are optimistic. But anti-immigrant groups see it as "amnesty for illegals". Inside the Senate Judiciary Committee, the markup is heated. After two weeks, an amended version is finally recommended for full Senate debate. But what exactly did Senators agree to in the confusing markup? The bill's final language must still be defined by opposing staffers. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

January, 2006: The House just passed the toughest anti-amnesty, enforcement-only bill in history. Finally the Senate tackles immigration reform, and a markup begins. Millions of people take to the streets, and at last a bi-partisan Kennedy-McCain bill goes to the Senate floor. But leaders in both parties seem to want an election issue, not a bill. Advocates smell a double-cross, and go public with an attack. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

Spring, 2007: This year, immigration supporters expect great things. But Kennedy has losthis partner McCain to presidential primaries, and Republicans now put a very different offer on the table. At the heart of this fast-moving story lies a moral tale of modern American politics. (howdemocracyworksnow.com)

For Jason V, 60 hours of live programming hosted by renowned oceanographer Bob Ballard were beamed from a jungle control room using feeds from the four primary locations in Belize to science centers and museums throughout North America and Great Britain. This unprecedented experiment in "telepresence" allowed approximately one million school-age children and their teachers to interact with scientists at work in breathtaking locations. (imdb)

About the gender gap in education in Africa. Its world premiere was at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. The film grew out of an initiative by the FAWE, The Forum for African Women Educationalists, with additional support from the Rockefeller Foundation and UNICEF. (en.wikipedia.org)

An in-depth look at the history, domination, and current status of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The film features revealing interviews with soldiers of both the modern Khmer Rouge and those who fight in opposition. A comprehensive timeline of the regime's five-year occupation in Cambodia is dissected and includes a review of key individuals, ideologies, and locations where devastation hit hardest. (der.org)