Gravitas Ventures’ THE JOB OF SONGS on Digital Platforms, Today November 21, 2023

THE JOB OF SONGS

Tourists flock to the west coast of Ireland to take in the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, but the real treasure lies in the soulful, acoustic sounds wafting out of pubs and living rooms of Doolin, County Clare. The denizens of this unspoiled coastal village of tight-knit neighbors and unlocked doors revel in the passion and history of their traditional folk songs, using music as a thread through generations to create community, connection, and joy.

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

THE JOB OF SONGS was made by a crew of three women, who are first time feature filmmakers: LILA SCHMITZ (director, producer, editor), ANIKA KAN GREVSTAD (director of photography, producer), and FENGYI XU (producer). The film was made with the support of acclaimed documentarians double Oscar-winning writer-producer-director Bill Guttentag and Emmy and Grammy Award winning documentarian Doug Pray. The film has screened at numerous prestigious International Film Festivals including DOC NYC, Galway Film Fleadh, Newport Beach Film Festival, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Milwaukee Film Festival, and many others. It won Best International Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh.

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

A group of musicians sit in a warm pub playing music and laughing. Location: Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland Left to right: Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton Photo credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

On Digital Platforms Tuesday, November 21,2023
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures

THE JOB OF SONGS: Review

Release date: Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Rating: Not Rated
Run time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Language: English
Country: Ireland

Music Connects Us to Our Past and to the Future

Writer, producer and director Lila Schmitz’s feature film debut, THE JOB OF SONGS tells the captivating story of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland’s vibrant history of songs, their musical instruments of choice, the fiddle and flute, going back a millennium, with the spectacular beauty of The Cliffs of Moher as its backdrop. Helping to share the wonderful music of Doolin are Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, and featuring Tunes from Doolin.

Worth noting, in addition to Lili, THE JOB OF SONGS, was headed by two other women, Anika Kan Grestad, director of photography and producer) and FENGYI XU producer. Also making their feature film debut.

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Luca Bloom, “the job of song is sometimes to entertain, but it has this way of giving people who don’t have songs, permission to feel things that are really deeply ingrained in them that they don’t necessary intellectually understand.’

Anika Kan Grevstad brings you right into the pubs, on the cliffs and into the homes of Doolin’s residents. The music score and performances are well incorporated into the film, helping to tell the story.

The natural settings of pubs, the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Irelands and the Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland, where Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton they gather; rhe Music house established by the parents of Christy Barry, and the homes of Doolin’s resident and the majestic Cliffs of Moher, adds to the captivating experience while watching THE JOB OF SONGS.

A woman with bright red hair plays the flute next to a bright window. Location: The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland Subject: Katie Theasby Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Christy Barry, “no one knows for certain the effect music has on people but without it, we have nothing.” That is so evident, as shown by the impact on the daily life of Doolin.

As you learn about their 1000 years of songs and tradition still being handed down and the music they are creating today, keeps the the people of Doolin in close contact with their ancestors and future generations. THE JOB OF SONGS is a really good film that will both entertain and enlighten. leaving you with a greater understanding and appreciation of the music and culture of Doolin, Ireland.

Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes from Doolin
Genre: Documentary. Music
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) SETS DECEMBER 3RD FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL AAFCA TV HONORS

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN TELEVISION AND STREAMING

AAFCA WILL CELEBRATE ITS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS AT A PRIVATE LUNCHEON AT THE HOTEL CASA DEL MAR IN SANTA MONICA QUINTA BRUNSON, NIECY NASH-BETTS, “P-VALLEY,” JESSICA WILLIAMS, “TED LASSO,” JENNIFER HUDSON, MARLA GIBBS AND DEBBIE ALLEN AMONG THOSE TO BE CELEBRATED

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2023 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) today announced a new date to celebrate its previously announced AAFCA TV Honors winners. The private, invitation-only event was previously scheduled for August 27th but was postponed due to the strike and will now be held on December 3rd at the Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California.

Presented by the African American Film Critics Association the AAFCA TV Honors recognize outstanding achievements in Broadcast Television and Streaming with a special emphasis on entertainment representing the Black diaspora. Previously announced winners include Quinta Brunson, the cast of “P-Valley,” Jessica Williams, Debbie Allen, Niecy Nash-Betts, “The 1619 Project” and many more. Special honorees include Jennifer Hudson, who will receive the We See You Award, Delroy Lindo, who will receive the Legacy Award, and five-time Emmy® nominee Marla Gibbs who will receive the Legend Award. The Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso'' will receive the Inclusion Award, and CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,'' produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with CBS Studios, will receive the Impact Award.

"We are happy that our industry can take a collective sigh of relief and get back to work, " stated AAFCA co-founder and president Gil Robertson. “We love a good party here at AAFCA and we’re going to pull out all the stops to celebrate our winners and honorees. With the industry in flux for so many months, we’re really looking forward to finally getting to recognize and celebrate these incredible talents.”

A full list of previously announced winners follows:

2023 AAFCA TV HONORS AWARD RECIPIENTS:

BEST TV COMEDY - "Abbott Elementary" (ABC)
BEST TV DRAMA - "P-Valley" (Starz)
BEST NEW SHOW - "Mo" (Netflix)
BEST DOCUMENTARY - "The 1619 Project" (Onyx Collective/Hulu)
BEST LIMITED SERIES - "The Best Man: The Final Chapters" (Peacock)
BEST TV MOVIE - “Shooting Stars” (Peacock)
BREAKOUT STAR - Jessica Williams - “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)
BEST ENSEMBLE - "P-Valley" (Starz)
BEST TV WRITING - Quinta Brunson - “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
BEST TV DIRECTING - Mary Lou Belli, Debbie Allen, Tasha Smith, Henry Chan, Jordan E. Cooper - "The Ms. Pat Show" (BET+)
BEST TV ACTING (Female) - Niecy Nash-Betts - “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (Netflix)
BEST TV ACTING (Male) - J. Alphonse Nicholson and Nicco Annan - "P-Valley" (Starz)

ABOUT AAFCA
Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora. For more information on AAFCA and its programs visit http://AAFCA.com.

Gravitas Ventures’ THE JOB OF SONGS on Digital Platforms November 21, 2023

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs

Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures

Lost Women of Highway 20,’ narrated by Octavia Spencer, premieres Sunday, Nov. 5, at 9/8c on the ID Network

It took the disappearance of 13-year-old Rachanda Pickle, from her home in Santiam Playground, Ore., in 1990, to bring to light the all of the missing women and girls, who were raped, murdered, or vanished without a trace on a stretch of United States Highway 20, starting in the late 70s to the early 90s

As people began looking into the disappearance of Rachanda, they became aware of Melissa Sanders and Kay Turner, to just name a few of the missing women and girls, and who could be responsible for the senseless acts of violence.

In 2018, The Oregonian spotlighted the victims of Highway 20 and the abject failure of the criminal justice system to do anything about the violence against women and girls.

This three-part docuseries, Lost Women of Highway 20, is premiering on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 9/8c on ID (Investigation Discovery).

ABOUT OCTAVIA SPENCER
Octavia Lenora Spencer an American actress and producer. She is the recipient of an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Golden Globe Award, and is the first black actress to receive two consecutive Oscar nominations

Spencer made her film debut in the 1996 drama A Time to Kill. Her breakthrough came in 2011 with the 1960s America in the drama film The Help, for which she won several awards including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. For her performance in Ryan Coogler's biopic Fruitvale Station in 2013, she won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress.

As an author, Spencer created the children's book series Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective. She has published two books in the series, titled The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit in 2013 and The Sweetest Heist in History in 2015.

ABOUT ID
Investigation Discovery (ID) was established in 1996 and is an American multinational pay television network dedicated to true crime documentaries that is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Approximately 86 million American households get Investigation Discovery.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President Movie Review

Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Featuring: Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu and Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi
Genre: Documentary
Country: Uganda, United Kingdon and the United States.
Language: English
Run time: 1 hour 58 minutes

When your passion and purpose in life meet

Directors Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp extraordinary documentary film “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” tells the story of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, known professionally as super star musician Bobi Wine and his wife Barbara “Barbie” Itungo Kyagulanyi, an accomplished author and human rights activist.

The films spans a five-year period as he performs around the world and enters the world of politics and eventually becoming the leader of the biggest political opposition organization in Uganda, the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the People Power Movement and mounts a formidable challenge against Ugandan President Museveni. Providing a portrait of the impact one individual can make and how important it is for a country’s citizens to stand together in solidarity against oppression.

Bobi Wine on top of his vehicle during the 2021 presidential campaigns as he solicited for support in Nakaseke, Central Uganda on November 18, 2020. (photo credit: Lookman Kampala)

While watching Bobi Wine, I couldn’t help but be reminded of the 1960s in the United States and the challenges faced by African Americans and the civil rights movement and how Bobi utilizing the non-violent principles of Dr. Marting Luther King, Jr. in his fight for freedom from government oppression. Of course, the major difference is it now 2020s and Bobi was running for president against Uganda’s current dictator.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an excellent film that uses the beautiful words and sounds of music to tell a brutal and harrowing story of torture, death, and perseverance, all in the pursuit of the human desire to be and live free.

Bobi Wine as he took his supporters on a run on a marram road in Katakwi district in Eastern Uganda, November 14, 2020. (photo credit: Lookman Kampala)

One of the many fascinating things that stood out when watching this film is how Bobi, his fans and supporters stayed united even in the face of the government of Uganda trying its best to turn people against Bobi and his wife. Only making the bond stronger.

Director of Photography, Moses Bwayo excellent work captures the graphic scenes of the beautiful and vibrant colors of Ugandan life, the wonderful music, and the struggles of a people trying to overcome the hardship and poverty that goes along with a dictator government. He brings you into story and makes you feel like you are right there, up close in the car, on the car, in the crowds, with the crowds, in the mist of the struggles, seeing it all.

Paul Carlin’ editing brings it to life as the story flows effortlessly from one scene to the next. Connecting the five-years of footage into a compelling narrative.

As Bobi said, "we must get our freedom or die trying.

The film shows the truth of his words and convictions as he and Barbi risk it all. Risking it all, not just themselves but also for their fellow citizens of Uganda. All in the pursuit of the basic human right of living free. Free from oppression, freedom to pick ones' elected representatives.

Filmed in Uganda, United Kingdom and the United States while Bobi and Barbie worked, performed and campaigned for president, the film gives a up-close look at the struggles of today’s Ugandans. Struggles that should be a thing of the past.

Music is a universal language and the soundtrack does a great job in helping to tell the tale and making it so much easier to take in the horrors that are experienced by the people of Uganda, Bobi and Barbie.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President is an exceptional film that shares how Bobi’s passion for music and his determination for he , his wife, family and his fellow citizens of Uganda to live free, come together creating a formidable husband and wife who fight the oppression and brutality of Ugandan President Museveni. A must-see film.

VIEW TRAILER BELOW

Streaming Release Date: October 6, 2023
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Producer: Christopher Sharp and John Battsek
Directors: Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp
Cinematography: Sam Benstead, Moses Bwayo, Michele Sibiloni
Editor: Paul Carlin
Composer: Music Editor & Additional Orchestration: Simon Birch
Runtime: 1 hour 58 minutes
Music: Dan Jones
Co-Producer: Megan Hollinghurst
Executive Producers: Humble Lukanga, Sol Guy, Alastair Siddons

Finding Her Beat released theatrically September 26th in Vancouver, Canada, before launching its USA theatrical release through Sonder Entertainment in October 2023

Cinema Verite style documentary “Finding Her Beat” is a moving and immersive cinematic experience from LGBTQ filmmakers and co-directors Dawn Mikkelson (“Minnesota Mean,” “Risking Light,” “The Red Tail”) and Keri Pickett (“Ribbon Skirt Warriors,” “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”) who is also the director of photography. “Finding Her Beat” made by a predominantly female/non-binary, largely Asian-American and LGBTQ+ filmmaking team and cast is a feel good music documentary.

“Finding Her Beat” is directed by Dawn Mikkelson (“Minnesota Mean,” “Risking Light,” “The Red Tail”) and Keri Pickett (“Ribbon Skirt Warriors,” “First Daughter and the Black Snake,” “The Fabulous Ice Age”)who is also the director of photography; produced by Jennifer Weir (Executive Director of TaikoArts Midwest, Artistic Director of Enso Daiko) and Dawn Mikkelson; additional cinematography by Shiho Fukada (“Mosaic Street”), Caroline Mariko Stucky (“Caissa”), and Dawn Mikkelson; with original music by Me-Lee Hay (“Better Watch Out,” “Last Tree Standing”) and edited by Dawn Mikkelson, Sam Kaiser (“Road to Damascus,” “Inside”), Keri Pickett , and Carrie Shanahan (“Irv de Toilette,” Goodbye Hello”).

To learn more please visit www.herbeatfilm.com or to book the film in your market please contact Henry Lystad of Sonder Entertainment at: henrysonder8@gmail.com

Documentary Feature Film “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” TVOD/Digital Release on July 27th

Sub-Genre Media engaging documentary “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat, ” a Vignette Production and Hold Fast Features Project from filmmaking co-directing team Gary Matoso & Cameron Zohoori will be released in North American on TVOD/Digital platforms July 27^th, 2023.

“Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” is inspired by an original story by Peter Yoakum and takes audiences behind the lines of America’s volunteer fire service community. The film is truly a tribute to the nearly 700,000 volunteer firefighters around the country – highlighting their selfless bravery, compassion, motivation, and unfaltering sense of community. The film is presented by John Deere in association with the National Volunteer Fire Council, Hold Fast Features, and Vignette. “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” is both a non AMPTP project and distributor, the film is a complete independent.

The 90-minute film grants audience’s exclusive access to follow the inspiring journey of the most remarkable neighbors whose help you hope you never need - volunteer firefighters - as they encounter heart-breaking challenges and exhilarating triumphs to fulfill a single mission: serving their community. Heart-warming, humorous, and thrilling, this sweeping portrait of bravery will capture your heart and inspire.

The “Odd Hours, No Pay, Cool Hat” filmmaking team is led by Co-Director, DP & Producer Gary Matoso, Co-Director & Editor Cameron Zohoori, Executive Producer Peter Yoakum, Casting Director & Associate Producer Louise Colette Matoso, and Composer Dillon Byron.

To support the film in theatres and follow it's journey: www.oddhoursfilm.com

Zodiac Features’ Captivating Biographical True Crime Docu-Thriller “Lovely Jackson” Screening at Justice Film Festival

Director: Matt Waldeck
Writers: Rickey Jackson and Matt Waldeck
Starring: Rickey Jackson, Mario Beverly, Devito Parker Jr., Edward Vernon, PR. Anthony Singleton, Mark Godsey, Brian Howe, Mary McGrath, with Clarissa Jackson, and introducing Lovely Rose Jackson
Country: USA
Genre Docuthriller, True Crime, Biography
Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes
Language: English
Year: 2022

Justice Film Festival's New York City Premiere of Zodiac Features’ bold biographical true crime Docu-Thriller, “Lovely Jackson,

LOVELY JACKSON is exonerated prisoner Rickey Jackson’s daring first-hand account of the psychology of survival and spiritual fortitude required to withstand 39 years of wrongful incarceration for a murder he didn’t commit. At the time of his release in 2014, Rickey was the longest wrongfully incarcerated person in U.S. history—spending 39 years on death row and in Ohio’s most dangerous prisons after being convicted solely on the coerced eye-witness testimony of a 12-year-old neighborhood paper boy.

Lovely Jackson sees Rickey return to the prison where he was sent in 1976 on his way to the electric chair where he narrates and stars in reenactments alongside professional actors (one playing his younger self), and the (then) 12-year-old paper boy, now in his late 50’s.

Lovely Jackson is a boldly cinematic, epic journey that begins in tragedy, hopelessness, injustice, and death, but ends in hope, beauty, and new life.

Rickey Jackson’s death sentence is sealed by the coerced eye-witness recounting of the crime by neighborhood paperboy, Edward Vernon.

WEBSITE: ZODIACFEATURES.COM IMDB: TINYURL.COM/YCXETWZ7FACEBOOK: @LOVLEYJACKSONMOVIEINSTAGRAM: @LOVELYJACKSONMOVIETIKTOK: @LOVELYJACKSONMOVIE

Runtime: 1 hour 44 minutes
Distributor: H.E.L.P. in association with Zodiac Holdings
Director: Matt Waldeck
Writers: Rickey Jackson and Matt Waldeck
Production Co.: Zodiac Features
Producers: Rickey Jackson, Matt Waldeck, Ben Hecht, Travis Killian, and Jillian Wolstein
Music: Jacques Brautbar
Cinematography: John Turk
Editor: Mark Andrew Hamer and Lori Lovoy-Goran

THE FIRST STEP opening theatrically in Los Angeles February 24th

(Photo Credit:Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media)Website:https://www.firststepfilm.com

In a divided America, Van Jones controversially works across party lines on landmark criminal justice reform and a more humane response to America's addiction crisis. Attempting to be a bridge builder in a time of extreme polarization takes him deep into the inner workings of a divisive administration, internal debates within both parties, and the lives of frontline activists fighting for their communities.

Facing fierce opposition from both political parties in a climate where bipartisanship has become a dirty word, Jones and his team enlist the support of justice-impacted individuals, faith leaders, grassroots activists and cultural figures — including Kim Kardashian — to pass legislation that would fix some broken aspects of the justice system and bring thousands of incarcerated people home early. The bill’s champions immediately find themselves navigating a high-stakes game of political chess in Washington, D.C. Their quest brings them face-to-face with progressive champions like Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Senators Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders, as well as conservative figures like U.S. Senator Rand Paul, Kellyanne Conway, Jared Kushner — and ultimately, Donald Trump himself.

While trying to pass a bipartisan bill through a deeply polarized Congress, Jones is condemned by the right for his progressive beliefs — and by the left for working with conservatives. The film reveals an intimate portrait of an activist’s isolation and internal struggles, what it takes to make change in a divided nation, and everyday people in both political parties drawn into a historic fight for freedom and justice.

Van Jones and #cut50 national organizer Louis L. Reed walk through downtown Washington DC in a scene from THE FIRST STEP. Image courtesy of Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media

THE FIRST STEP is an independent production of Meridian Hill Pictures (CITY OF TREES, PBS, Netflix) and Magic Labs Media
(THE MESSY TRUTH, Webby Award Winner), in association with Kartemquin Films (MINDING THE GAP, Hulu, Oscar Nomination)
and Big Mouth Productions (DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD, Netflix) and the editorial talent behind KING IN THE WILDERNESS (HBO,
Sundance) and BIRTH OF THE COOL (PBS, Sundance).

An 8 Above Theatrical Release: Opening theatrically in New York on February 17 (DCTV Firehouse), Washington, D.C. on February 19 (JxJ Theater), Los Angeles on February 24 (Laemmle Royal Theater) with additional screenings in key cities in February and March 2023.

VOD Release details to follow.

Theaters:

New York - February 17 - DCTV Firehouse (1 week run)
Washington, D.C. - February 19 - JxJ Theater (1 week run)
Los Angeles - February 24 - Laemmle Royal Theater (1 week run)

Van Jones, Sheriff Martin West, and Virgie Walker walk through downtown Welch, West Virginia in a scene from THE FIRST STEP. Image courtesy of Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media

THE FIRST STEP-Social Media/ Website:

- Website: https://www.firststepfilm.com
- Instagram: @firststepmovie
- Twitter: @firststepmovie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firststepmovie

Van Jones, Kim Kardashian, Alice Johnson, Louis L. Reed and Alex Guditch of #cut50 huddle over acell phone to watch president Trump deliver a speech on the First Step Act in a scene from THE FIRST STEP. Image courtesy of Meridian

Director: Brandon Kramer
Producer: Lance Kramer
8 Above Presents A Meridian Hill Pictures and Magic Labs Media Production In association with Fork Films, Artemis Rising Foundation, Hidden Empire Film Group, Kartemquin Films and Big Mouth Productions
Director of photography: Emily Topper
Editors: Steven Golliday, Natasha Livia Mottola, Leslie Simmer
Composer: Joshua Abrams
Executive producer: Jana Carter
Executive producers: Abibail E. Disney, Regina K. Scully, Robert F. Smith, Deon & Roxanne Taylor, Brad Buhr and Bryanna Sapp, Christina & David Arquette, Daniel S. Loeb
Co-executive producers: Clara Wu Tsai, Felicia & Jules Horowitz
Director of photography: Emily Topper
Original music: Joshua Abrams
Original song: Aloe Blacc
a film by Meridian Hill Pictures, Magic Labs Media in association with Fork Films Artemis Rising Foundation, Hidden Empire Film Group, Kartemquin Films and Big Mouth Productions

Louis L. Reed is the Sr. Director of Membership and Partnerships for the REFORM Alliance. He brings to the REFORM Alliance years of experience in government, criminal justice expertise, policy advocacy, public health, and personal impact, serving nearly 14 years in federal prison and several years on supervision. Louis is a board-certified addictions counselor and licensed alcohol & addictions practitioner.

More information: https://www.louislreed.org

Van Jones is a media personality, an entrepreneur and change maker — who has dedicated his career to bringing people together in clean energy solutions, criminal justice reform and racial inclusion in the tech sector. In 2007, Van was the primary champion of the Green Jobs Act, signed into law by George W. Bush. In 2009, he worked in the Obama White House as the Special Advisor for Green Jobs. Over the past 25 years, Van has founded and led social enterprises including REFORM Alliance, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Color of Change, Green For All and the Dream Corps. He worked with Prince to launch #YesWeCode (now called Dream Corps TECH) to get jobs in the tech sector for low-opportunity young people. Van is also a CNN host, an Emmy Award-winning producer and a 3X New York Times best-selling author.

Brandon Kramer (Director)
Brandon is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures. Brandon directed CITY OF TREES (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, national broadcast on PBS' America Reframed, Netflix); and the Webby Award-winning documentary series THE MESSY TRUTH. Brandon won Best Director at the 2016 Chesapeake Film Festival and Indie Capital Awards, received the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 American Conservation Film Festival and was a 2022 and 2015 DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Individual Arts Fellow. Brandon has directed over 30 short documentaries commissioned by public agencies and nonprofits including AARP and US Institute of Peace. Before starting MHP, Brandon served as a teaching artist for the John F. Kennedy Center’s national media education program. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in film and cultural anthropology from Boston University.

About 8 Above (Distributor)

8 ABOVE is a theatrical distributor and rights management partner dedicated to connecting award-winning independent films with audiences. Working in close partnership with filmmakers, 8 ABOVE develops strategies that build community and social impact around unique theatrical experiences. Founded by distribution pioneer Jon Reiss, 8 ABOVE has developed bespoke audience-building strategies and theatrical campaigns for independent films, specialty films, and documentaries, including Hooligan Sparrow, Two Gods, The Disrupted, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, Sweetheart Dancers, Surviving Sex Trafficking, Nasrin, and No Small Matter.

Publicity/ For further information please contact: Emma Griffiths PR // emma@eg-pr.com