Astronaut and children’s book author José M. Hernández will speak at a screening of the new Amazon film about his life, A Million Miles Away, which will be shown at the University of Houston in the Student Center South Theater (4455 University Dr., Houston, TX 77204) on Friday, October 27, from 5-8:15 pm.

Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José M. Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm workers on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive and determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream. Starring Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar and produced by Amazon Studios, the film launched for streaming on Prime Video September 15, 2023.

This screening is sponsored by Arte Público Press, the Department of Hispanic Studies and the UH LULAC Council, all at the University of Houston. Admission is free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available in the Welcome Center Garage, across University Drive from the Student Center.

For more information about the event and about José M. Hernández and his books, visit our website: