Private Project

Citizens Revival

Citizens Revival is an educational, awareness film first and foremost that lives in community. Much like democracy itself, it is driven by the people: every participant, educator, public servant, and audience member who engages with it. As filmmakers, we did not set out to make a traditional “documentary” as much as to create a living, breathing document that can call in our communities for the much more important work to come.

Using a combination of cinema verité, traditional interviews, collaborative live events, and subject-led discussions, we sought to capture a broad image of America specifically focusing on civic participation & education during the 2024 presidential election season. It doesn't project. It just witnesses, without creating conflict. It asks us not for results, but shows where windows of opportunities arise for each of us to be more engaged.

This is a film that is accessible to all ages and levels of understanding. It gives the opportunities for parents & grandparents to engage with their kids, allows the children to ask the hard WHY questions, and figure out how we can foster a better education system as it pertains to democracy, and how it works before it's too late.

  • Becca Finley
    Director
  • Chase Cole
    Executive Producer
  • Ellie Payne
    Editor
  • Bill Cole
    Writer
  • Marlos E'Van
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Kyshona Armstrong
    Key Cast
    "herself"
  • Kate Counts
    Key Cast
    "herself"
  • Jeh Johnson
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • J Michael Luttig
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • A.J. Haynes
    Key Cast
    "herself"
  • Munir
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • David Perdue
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Nathan Kelps
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Jackson Herrera
    Key Cast
    "himself"
  • Will Shivers
    Post Production
  • David Brzozowski
    Graphics/ VX
  • Pierce Alexander
    Music/ Score
  • Kyshona Armstrong
    Music/ Score
  • Anana Kaye
    Music/ Score
  • Irakli Gabriel
    Music/ Score
  • Ashley East
    Music/ Score
  • Peter Leininger
    Director of Photography
  • Antonio Tarrell
    Camera Operator
  • Sequoya Yardley
    Camera Operator
  • Molly Trunnel
    Camera Operator
  • Craig Goodale
    Camera Operator
  • Alonso Cachon
    Live Audio Mixing
  • Keenan Nelson
    Live Audio Mixing
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature, Other
  • Genres:
    Political, conversation, documentary, cinema verite, education, youth
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 16, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    400,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Oxford Film Festival
    Oxford
    United States
    February 27, 2026
    Educational Episodic Screening
  • Silver Screen Film Festival

    February 17, 2026
Director Biography - Becca Finley

Becca Finley is a storyteller whose focus is on depth, conscious content, and the simplicity of allowing people the time to share their stories without the presence of expectation.

She has directed and produced multiple television series including PBS' Hearts in Harmony & Ear to the Common Ground, and the long running Comcast music series Eclectic Evenings.

She also spends her time crafting live events that create transformative change in its participants.

Her latest project & feature length documentary debut, Citizens Revival, explores what happens when "real" people get curious, create spaces for each other, and live in the moment of what is happening RIGHT now. Taking the time to uncover how we can be our best to serve and inspire each other, in this crazy partisan landscape.

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Director Statement

This is a film about curiosity, and truly learning about what IS our civic duty. 120 different voices from our country are featured with many more waiting in the wings of our cutting room floor, holding a foundation for these particular voices THIS time to be elevated.

Our crew intentionally represented many cultures, ages, socio-economic levels, and varying political leanings. We did this intentionally to ensure that we had an opportunity to see/ hear from many voices as possible, and to see where our individual blindspots were and how our perspectives could shift with understanding the humanity first in another.

As creatives, and especially operators of equipment, we have a responsibility to a human's voice, image, and intent. We hold extreme power and trust in our hands. It was an honor of a lifetime to work with this crew during the time to hold this mission, and not try to lean into any lens other than HOPE and belief in the power of our citizens to want to do right by each other.