In 2021, film professor Francisco Menendez was invited to the 20th Cinematographic Theory and Analysis Congress organized by the Escuela Nacional de Artes Cinematográficas [National School of Cinematographic Arts - ENAC] of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México [National Autonomous University of Mexico - UNAM] and the Asociación Mexicana de Teoría y Análisis Cinematográfico [Mexican Association of Cinematographic Theory and Analysis - Sepancine].

Menendez accepted and gave the keynote address on the why we are not witnessing the death of cinema, rather a pivot in the culture. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that affected Mexico and many other countries worldwide, the General Directorate of Academic Personnel Affairs (DGAPA) at the National Autonomous University of Mexico is urging its academic staff to engage in a range of projects. These projects include conducting interdisciplinary research, developing technology, and providing training related to strategies in addressing the new COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico and CILECT members schools (UNLV FILM is also an official CILECT School school since its induction in 2018).

As a result, Menendez became the North American member of the team participating in the Call for the Support Program for Research and Technological Innovation Projects (PAPIIT). 

Now in 2023, Menendez is heading back to Mexico for the ENAC/PAPIIT Workshop Oct. 2-6 at UNAM, to facilitate a workshop where students will gain firsthand experience of the technology's potential in creating impactful virtual production workflows. Academic programs can utilize Unreal 5 to "location scout" and test the waters of virtual production within a few hours, serving as an initial step in their program’s growth. 

The purpose of this research exchange is to equip students, faculty, and administration with affordable technology that can prepare them for a future in virtual production and enable them to execute it effectively today.