San Quentin: First Ever Film Festival To Hold In A Prison

San Quentin Rehabilitation Center will be the first ever prison to host a film festival on October 10 to 11, 2024.
The San Quentin Film Festival (SQFF) has listed actors Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), Billy Crudup (Almost Famous), Mary Louise Parker (Angels In America), and Kathy Najimy (Sister Act, Hocus Pocus) as part of its jury made up of entertainment industry artists and executives. This particular jury will judge short films and pitches submitted by current and formerly incarcerated filmmakers.

Meantime, another ‘inside jury’ made up of incarcerated (imprisoned people) will judge the narrative and documentary feature films about the prison experience made by filmmakers who have never been to prison.
Festival co-founder and director Rahsaan ‘New York’ Thomas, who previously served time at San Quentin, said,

“I’m grateful to San Quentin, and all the judges, funders and people working in the background to make this happen.

“Our vision was to introduce the work of these talented filmmakers to the people in the rooms they wish to enter. This group of remarkable talents supporting SQFF is my dream come true,” said festival co-founder and director, Cori Thomas (no relation to Rashaan Thomas).

While this is the first ever film festival of its kind, San Quentin is already the home of a media center that houses the San Quentin News and produces the podcasts ‘Ear Hustle’ and ‘Uncuffed’ while also providing inmates with filmmaking resources.

SQFF is supported by Tribeca Festival and Empowerment Avenue, and has a growing list of donors including The Just Trust and Meadow Fund.