Inthrive Film Festival returns to Richmond’s First Baptist Church, showcasing talents of incarceration survivors

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The Inthrive Film Festival , the first film festival to celebrate the voice and talent of incarcerated survivors, is returning to Richmond’s First Baptist Church.

The Inthrive Film Festival is a free two-day festival that will take place from Friday, Oct. 18 through Saturday, Oct. 19 at Richmond’s First Baptist Church, located at 2709 Monument Ave., with registry available here .

According to the Festival Director, David Smith, the festival will highlight films curated by previously incarcerated filmmakers from across the nation, celebrating the voices and talents of those who have survived incarceration.

“So many people think that once you’ve been incarcerated you don’t have anything to contribute. The Inthrive Film Festival changes that narrative by celebrating the work and voices of people who have not only survived incarceration and found ways to thrive,” Smith said.

Festival attendees can expect to connect with local organizations and businesses in the community led by incarceration survivors, view art from currently and previously incarcerated individuals, engage in panel discussions, hear spoken word and more.

Schedule of events:

Friday, Oct. 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

• 5:30 p.m. — Event opening & Dinner reception
• 6:30 p.m. — Special screening of “What These Walls Won’t Hold”
• 7:20 p.m. — Q&A session with Adamu Chan, director of “What These Walls Won’t Hold”
• 8 p.m. — Event closing

Saturday, Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• 11 a.m. — Event opening
• 11:30 a.m . — Opening remarks
• 11:35 a.m. — Screening of “Little April”
• 11:40 a.m. — Screening of “A Bridge to Life”
• 12:10 p.m. — Screening of “Finding The Light”
• 12:35 p.m. — Break
• 12:45 p.m. — Screening of “Being Free”
• 1:40 p.m. — Break
• 1:50 p.m. — Panel Discussion – Incarceration & Mass Media: The Problem & A Way Forward
• 2:20 p.m. — Screening of “Cell Blocks to Mountain Tops”
• 2:30 p.m. — Screening of “From Pen to Paper”
• 2:55 p.m . — Screening of “On Beyond Fences”
• 3:20 p.m. — Break
• 3:30 p.m. — Screening of “Songs From The Hole”
• 5:15 p.m. — Closing remarks

For more information on how to support the Inthrive Film Festival, click here . To participate as volunteer or a community partner, contact the Festival Director David Smith at info@inthrivefilmfestival.org.

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