STAGE TUBE: Trailer - MTV Debuts Documentary INOCENTE Tonight, 8/17

MTV announced that it will air the premiere of Shine Global's powerful documentary "Inocente" tonight, August 17 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. Winner of "Best Documentary Short" at the 2012 San Antonio Film Festival, "Inocente" tells the story of a talented 15 year-old Latina who, as an undocumented homeless immigrant, refuses to surrender to the bleakness of her surroundings and fiercely pursues her dream of becoming an artist. By chronicling the journey of this immensely talented young woman, the documentary sheds light on the current lightning rod issues of immigration and homelessness in America in a strikingly personal way. Check out the trailer below!

"'Inocente' poignantly captures the beauty and strength of a young woman who refuses to let her surroundings define her," said Chris Linn, Executive Vice President of Programming and Head of Production for MTV. "We're thrilled to premiere this documentary and hope it not only continues the dialogue on youth immigration and homelessness, but serves as an inspiration to those struggling to overcome obstacles in pursuit of their dreams."

"MTV is the perfect partner for 'Inocente.' The network can activate an audience of millions of young adults and teens who can make an impact on these critical issues," said Albie Hecht, co-founder of Shine Global, the nonprofit filmanthropy organization distributing the film.

Color is Inocente's personal revolution. Its extraordinary sweep on her canvases creates a world that looks nothing like her own dark past. Inocente survived life's greatest challenges, punctuated by a father deported for domestic abuse and an endless shuffle, year after year, through the city's overcrowded homeless shelters and the constant threat of deportation. Told entirely in her words, the documentary joins Inocente at a turning point in her life, when, for the first time, she decides to take control of her own destiny.

Inocente's situation is unfortunately not unique. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there are about 1.7 million homeless youth under the age of 18 in the United States. To date, this country continues to have the largest number of homeless women and children of any industrialized nation.