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Classroom to Cinema invites classrooms from across the Bay Area to celebrate Cultural Heritage Months through free screenings of powerful, independent films. Each screening is paired with stories that spark conversation, broaden perspectives, and connect directly to the cultural moments we honor. 

This semester, we’re proud to feature two unforgettable films in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month (September) and Native American History Month (November). We are unable to provide free bus transportation at this time, but attending the screening is free. Read more about the films and register below. We look forward to seeing you at the theater!

Screenings take place at the Smith Rafael Film Center in downtown San Rafael

WATCH TRAILER

PRODIGAL DAUGHTER

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

MONDAY, SEPT. 22 • 11:00am – 1:00pm
GRADE 12 & COLLEGE

ABOUT THE FILM

Filmmaker and former punk artist Mabel Valdiviezo reunites with her family in Peru after 16 years of silence, confronting haunting childhood memories and a troubled past as an undocumented immigrant in the United States. Prodigal Daughter intimately chronicles filmmaker Mabel Valdiviezo’s soul-stirring journey. 

Directed by Mabel Valdiviezo | US 2024

* Join us for an in-person Q&A after the screening with Director Mabel Valdiviezo!



REGISTER HERE

WATCH TRAILER

REMAINING NATIVE

NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY MONTH

MONDAY, NOV. 17 • 11:00am – 1:00pm
GRADES 7-12

ABOUT THE FILM

In Remaining Native, 17-year-old Native American runner Ku Stevens embarks on a transformative journey, striving to fulfill his dream of becoming a collegiate athlete. As he trains, Ku confronts the haunting legacy of his great-grandfather, who, decades earlier, escaped from the oppressive Stewart Indian School by running 50 miles across the Nevada desert to reunite with his family.

This poignant documentary intertwines Ku’s present-day aspirations with his ancestor’s harrowing past, illuminating the enduring strength of cultural identity and the unbreakable bonds that connect generations. Through breathtaking landscapes and intimate storytelling, Remaining Native captures the resilience of a young man determined to honor his heritage while forging his own path forward.

Directed by Paige Bethmann | US 2025 | 86 min

* Join us for a virtual Q&A after the screening with Director Paige Bethmann!

REGISTER HERE

CAFILM EDUCATION

education@cafilm.org
ANGELA COLABELLA, Director of Education
DIANA SÁNCHEZ MACIEL, Education Program Manager | Administradora del Programa de Educacíon

CALIFORNIA FILM INSTITUTE
1001 Lootens Place, Suite 220
San Rafael, CA 94901
415.383.5256 Main Office

The California Film Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

EMA Foundation
Nancy P. and Richard K. Robbins Family Foundation
Destino Fund
Fenwick Foundation
Hellman Foundation
Marin Charitable



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