Inthrive Film Festival will be in Arlington, VA, Sunday April 14
The only film festival to celebrate the talents and stories of people who have survived incarceration is coming to Van Metre Hall at Mason Square
Programming includes films from previously incarcerated filmmakers from around the country, panelists with local connections talking about their films, and a resource fair.
Date: Sunday April 14, 2024 Contact: David Smith, Festival Director
Noon-5 p.m. 804-481-5934
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ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA–For Immediate Release– Inthrive Film Festival, the only film festival to celebrate the voices and skills of people who have survived incarceration, will be on April 14, 2023 from Noon to 5pm at Van Metre Hall at GMU’s Mason Square campus in Arlington. The festival will screen films by previously incarcerated filmmakers from around the United States. There will be two panels featuring filmmakers and directly impacted people from Virginia and Washington, DC. Additionally, there will be art displays and spoken word performances by incarceration survivors who are still behind bars. You can also get connected with nearly two dozen community organizations, businesses, and more through the Community Partners resource fair.
Schedule:
Noon - Welcome
12:05pm - Shorts by Directly Impacted Filmmakers
1:00pm - Calls From Home. Followed by panel discussion focusing on being the loved one of an incarcerated person.
2:15pm - Shorts on the Reentry Experience
3:00pm - Spoken Word performance
3:15pm - District of Second Chances. Followed by panel discussion featuring incarceration survivors.
4:55pm - Closing Remarks
Key Features of the Inthrive Film Festival:
- Films created by or featuring the authentic stories of people who have survived incarceration
- Artwork created by currently and previously incarcerated folks
- Panels featuring filmmakers and justice impacted individuals
- A Community Partners area featuring local organizations led by or working with people returning from incarceration
“So many people think that once you’ve been incarcerated you don’t have anything to contribute. This festival changes that narrative by celebrating the work and voices of people who have not only survived incarceration but have found ways to thrive,” said David Smith, founder and Festival Director of the Inthrive Film Festival. “As someone who has been incarcerated I’ve experienced first hand the harmful effects that this powerful negative narrative has on people who have changed. This festival is a place where everyone can come and hear the stories and see the talents of folks who have survived prison or jail. If you have been locked up I hope you leave inspired and connected. If you’ve never been then I hope you have a greater empathy for justice impacted people and an understanding of the steps you can take to remove barriers to successful reentry.”
Free tickets can be reserved at InthriveFilmFestival.org. The Festival is supported by the generous donations of individual donors and corporate sponsors and is presented in partnership with OAR, OAR-NOVA, Listen Out Loud Media, The Forty Strong, and The Humanization Project. If you’d like to make a donation to support the festival contact Festival Director David Smith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inthrive Film Festival
Inthrive Film Festival amplifies the stories, voices, and talents of those impacted by incarceration to change the narrative so that the public recognizes the capacity for individuals to transform. Founded as a 501(c)3 in 2023, Inthrive Film Festival is the first festival in the United States whose mission is to elevate the voices of people who have survived incarceration.
InthriveFilmFestival.org Facebook & Instagram: InthriveFilmFestival