San Quentin’s groundbreaking film festival reveals human stories

A unique dress code for a unique event

The Bay Area’s newest film festival is anything but ordinary, and that starts with its dress code. An email from the event organizers reads, “No blue, green, orange, gray, or all-white clothing.” While white is acceptable if paired with other colors, all black is always a safe choice. Open-toed and open-backed shoes? Not permitted.

These regulations aren’t just quirks—they’re essential when you’re planning the world’s first-ever film festival inside a prison.

Empowering voices through the San Quentin Film Festival

Held on October 10-11 at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, the San Quentin Film Festival aims to amplify the voices of those affected by the justice system. Co-founder Rahsaan “New York” Thomas, whose filmmaking career began during his incarceration at San Quentin, is joined by screenwriter Cori Thomas in this groundbreaking venture.

Pictured: San Quentin Film Festival co-founders at San Quentin in 2018.

“Rahsaan changed my entire notion of what prison was,” Cori recalls. Upon entering San Quentin, her expectations were low. However, she left feeling ashamed for prejudging an entire community. Rahsaan echoes this sentiment, challenging preconceived stereotypes about incarcerated individuals.

Building a media powerhouse behind bars

San Quentin is home to a robust media center, offering prisoners access to donated cameras, sound equipment, and editing software—all without internet access. Inmates train themselves using film books and manuals. The media hub also includes San Quentin News, a journalistic outlet established in the 1920s. More recently, it has been a hub for short film and podcast production, including the acclaimed “Ear Hustle,” a 2020 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

This center serves as a fertile ground for projects that impact the lives of inmates. Rahsaan shares, “Before these opportunities, my prison activities were limited. I cut hair for a case of soups, sent my son 20 bucks—I was stuck in a cycle of poverty.” His work on an Audible podcast took him out of this cycle, earning him substantial money for the first time.

From incarceration to inspiration

After their collaboration on the audiobook project, Cori became a “super volunteer” at San Quentin, mentoring and bringing work to the inmates. Her 2019 play “Lockdown,” staged at the Off-Broadway Rattlestick Theater, saw her splitting profits with Lonnie Morris, an incarcerated collaborator. Cori even sought out posters and music for the play from San Quentin artists, compensating them for their contributions.

Once an offhand remark about creating a festival, Rahsaan took Cori’s idea seriously, and they started drafting a proposal. Their plans faced delays when the pandemic limited access to San Quentin, pushing their festival further down the priority list. However, Rahsaan’s transition to freedom in early 2023 accelerated their mission.

Securing funding and star-studded support

Upon his release, Rahsaan utilized his connections in the nonprofit and entertainment industries. Funding poured in from various organizations, and Cori tapped into her professional network for additional support. Celebrity friends were more than willing to pitch in. When Rahsaan met Mary-Louise Parker, he asked her to be a juror for the festival. She eagerly accepted, even enlisting Jeffrey Wright, Billy Crudup, Kathy Najimy, and Lawrence O’Donnell.

The jury includes industry heavyweights like Greg Kwedar, director of “Sing Sing,” and Piper Kerman, author of the memoir that inspired “Orange Is the New Black”. The festival features two types of screenings: short films made by currently or formerly incarcerated individuals and prison-themed feature-length movies reviewed by a jury of incarcerated people.

Redefining authority on prison life

Rahsaan and Cori believe the primary authority on prison life should be the incarcerated themselves. Rahsaan’s own filmmaking journey started from appearing in external documentaries, only to see others reap the accolades and financial benefits. “I made 19 cents an hour for documentaries inside. I want more equity in this industry,” Rahsaan asserts.

The power of arts in rehabilitation

The transformative power of arts access in rehabilitation is evident in San Quentin’s media center, which boasts a zero recidivism rate. “I’m making more money now legally than I did as a drug dealer,” Rahsaan quips, emphasizing the life-changing impact of arts exposure. Filmmaking provided an escape and a new direction, changing not just his life but also those of other inmates.

Looking beyond San Quentin

Rahsaan and Cori have plans that extend beyond this inaugural event. They aim to connect filmmakers to industry employers and replicate their success in prisons worldwide. “We hope this festival inspires other prisons to establish media centers,” Cori explains.

Rahsaan envisions a future where current inmates can pitch scripts and receive development deals, breaking the cycle of poverty for their families. “I want industry involvement, even if there’s no media center. A $200,000 deal can change lives.”

The San Quentin Film Festival is more than an event—it’s a transformative movement. Early signs show promising support, with more attendees than initially expected.

“Did you enjoy this article? Share it on your social channels and let us know your thoughts!”

“Don’t miss out on the latest updates! Follow us on social media to stay informed about the newest releases.”