“For here or to go?”—playing Sunday, February 21st, at the SSAFF—is a comedy movie that tells the story of just about every high-skilled immigrant’s life. Written by Rishi Bhilawadikar and directed by Rucha Humnabadkar, it tells a love story that also follows the lives of four Indian citizens in the US on temporary work visas working in the tech industry.  In an effortless away, the movie depicts the hilarious immigration plight of each character.

I have come to love this movie because it is everything that I have been advocating for years- on immigration reform, high-skilled immigration, visa backlogs, lack of a Startup visa and so much more.  I am most impressed by the simplicity it brings to such a complicated subject matter. The movie truly does more for advocacy than advocacy itself!  This movie shows the effects of the broken immigration system.

So, I befriended the moviemakers and have been hosting private screenings to bring awareness to the existence of the movie, to the issues and to help raise funds for this low budget indie film that really deserves to be in theaters around the country.

I loved the movie so much I organized private screenings at my place.  Attended by many community leaders, the screenings were followed by riveting discussions. To make it even more interesting, screenwriter Rishi Bhilawadikar joined us by Skype.  Here are some of the reactions from those at my most recent screening:

“This story is everyone’s story,” said Jubilee Seth.

“You can’t help but feel the loss of talent,” said Diane Butler.

“I understood why the immigration system is broken so much better after watching this movie,” said Tom Watson

“There is so much potential that is lost,” said Rishi Bhilawadikar, the writer.

If you or someone you know has faced or is facing immigration problems with a co-founder, friend, family member, employer or employee- you should watch this movie.  I promise you will laugh and cry at the same time. And perhaps, just perhaps, even you will walk out of the movie an advocate yourself.

If you want to watch the movie, and I insist you do- the movie will be screened at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival on February 21st at 12pm PST.  Screenwriter Rishi will be attending in person.