The San Quentin Film Festival, held at California’s oldest prison, highlighted the power of storytelling and the resilience of incarcerated individuals. The festival, created by Rahsaan Thomas and Cori Thomas, was designed to “challenge what we’ve been trained to think by the media” about incarcerated people, as Cori Thomas explained. It provided a platform for those behind bars to share their stories through film, music, and art.

One of the festival’s most emotional moments came during the screening of Dying Alone, a film by Raheem Ballard about compassionate release for terminally ill inmates. Many of the attendees, including the incarcerated, were deeply moved by the portrayal of “the death of hope” that often accompanies such situations. As the festival continued, Raheem, absent due to a parole hearing, was found “suitable” for release, leading to a standing ovation as the news spread through the auditorium.

The event also sparked discussions on prison abolition. Brad Jenkins, CEO of Enfranchisement Productions, stated bluntly, “There should be no prisons,” while reflecting on the transformative power of prison programs like coding initiatives. Films such as “The Strike” further emphasized the harsh realities of incarceration, with even prison staff acknowledging the toll their roles take on them. San Quentin’s associate warden, Rosalinda Rosalez, admitted, “We die because we enforce policies that are inhumane.”

Throughout the festival, filmmakers and participants grappled with the prison system’s impact, offering a perspective on rehabilitation and human potential, proving that creativity can happen even behind bars.