The film, set to be released in April, shows scientists who say they were discredited because of their research into the subject.

On such scientist is Guillermo Gonzalez: a physics professor who was denied academic tenure by Iowa State University. Gonzalez and his supporters point to his advocacy of intelligent design as the reason.

"This is a core piece of what the film is about: academic suppression that is going on to anybody that does not faithfully adhere to the monopolistic view within academia of atheistic neo-Darwinism," said Mark Mathis of New Mexico, an associate producer of "Expelled."

"If you dissent, you are persecuted," he added.

Gonzalez learned last year that he did not achieve tenure at ISU, essentially a lifetime appointment. His position expires at ISU in May.

The decision has been upheld by the university president, Gregory Geoffroy. The matter is scheduled to be addressed at the next Iowa Board or Regents meeting on February 7th.

Gonzalez said in an e-mail Monday that he is applying for tenure-track positions in case the Regents do not act in his favor.

"I'm convinced that I was denied tenure because of my intelligent design research," he wrote in the e-mail.

Hector Avalos, an ISU professor of religious studies, was also interviewed for the film.

He said he sees "Expelled" as a "revenge film meant to create political and public support for those who unsuccessfully attempted to present (intelligent design) as science in our educational system."

Mathis says the film accurately portrays both sides of the debate. The film has already received positive press from intelligent design advocates, including Intelligent Design The Future, a podcast linked to the Discovery Institute, which supports discussion of intelligent design in the classroom.

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