That’s a Wrap: San Quentin Film Festival

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: With words more familiar with a movie set - that's a wrap - the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center made history with the completion of the first-ever in-prison film festival. The San Quentin Film Festival 2024 (SQFF24) garnered attention unlike the typical coverage of prisons as seen in The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and the New York Times. This unique event showcased the creative talents of current and previous incarcerated filmmakers, offering a powerful platform for self-expression and storytelling from within the prison walls.

"The California Model is about providing incarcerated people with the tools they need to rebuild their lives and reenter communities safely. I am proud to see this groundbreaking film festival inside of San Quentin - and grateful for the communities both inside and outside - from CDCR staff to the community-based organizations - who have worked together to make it happen. This event will help open doors and unlock potential that exists when we achieve true rehabilitation that helps make all of us safer."

Governor Gavin Newsom

BIGGER PICTURE: Recognizing films in nine categories, the festival not only bridged the gap between incarcerated and the broader community, but also marked a pivotal moment in the intersection of rehabilitation and artistic innovation. The event is part of CDCR's California Model approach, a system-wide change within CDCR and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS).

SEE HIGHLIGHTS OF SQFF24 HERE: SQFF24 B-ROLL

"We are transforming prisons with the California Modeland the SQFF24 shows Hollywood is not out of reach. In fact, storytelling unites us and helps strengthen our communities inside and outside California's institutions. Overcoming the challenges and adversity of filmmaking will help incarcerated individuals find creative ways to transition to the world outside prison walls."

Jeff Macomber, Secretary CDCR

FILM FESTIVAL DETAILS: SQFF24 Founders and Co-Directors are award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and author Cori Thomas (Lockdown, When January Feels Like Summer), and (no relation) formally incarcerated filmmaker, podcast and writer Rahsaan "New York" Thomas (Friendly Signs, What These Walls Won't Hold).

See Thomas' interview here.

Jerry and Jessica Seinfeld attend SQFF24

Actress and activist Kerry Washington takes the stage at SQFF24

Comic and TV host Kamau Bell addressed the audience at SQFF24

WHAT THE MEDIA IS SAYING ABOUT THE INAGURAL SQFF24

FESTIVAL WINNERS:

Best Feature: The Strike" - Directed by Joebill Munoz & Lucus Guilkey

Best Documentary Short: "Healing Through Hula" - Directed by incarcerated individual Louis Sale

Best Narrative Short: "In the Matchbox" - Mike Rae Anderson

Best Screen Play Pitch: "Exodus" - submitted by incarcerated individual, Todd A. Todd A. Winkler

Best Documentary Pitch: "The History of San Quentin News and Prison Journalism in the United States" - Submitted by incarcerated individual, Kevin D. Sawyer. Kevin D. Sawyer

The Bruce Sinofsky Changemarker Award: "Daughters" - Directed by Natale Rae with Angela Patton and Chad Morris.

IDA Supported Artist Award: "Dying Alone" - Directed by incarcerated individual B. "Raheem" Ballard

American Documentary POV Award: "Dying Alone" - Directed by incarcerated individual B. "Raheem" Ballard

Elliot the G.O.A.T Impact & and Innovation Award: Directed by Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley, and Monique Walton.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct 14, 2024

CONTACT OPEC: [email protected]

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