Justice on Trial® Film Festival began out of a conversation between Michelle Alexander (Author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness) and Susan Burton (2010 CNN Hero; Founder and Executive Director of A New Way of Life Reentry Project). These two women emanate the power and commitment needed to change the narrative for millions of Americans suffering from the external and internal impact of mass incarceration.

The focus of this festival is to bring those impacted by mass incarceration, their advocates, and potential advocates together to expose the injustices of mass incarceration and explore solutions that create necessary systemic changes within U.S. communities. Films that are poignant and thought-provoking, addressing the impact of mass incarceration will have the potential of being selected. Our film festival gives filmmakers, advocates, and those affected a platform to discover the human side of the story.

The festival is produced by A New Way of Life Reentry Project (ANWOL) and hosted by Loyola Marymount University. We are excited to see your submissions!

The Justice on Trial Film Festival is a juried contest. Our panel of judges includes filmmakers, entertainment executives, non-profit leaders, professors, social entrepreneurs, and authors.

Justice on Trial Film Festival will award the following:
• Top Feature (Fiction or Documentary)
• Top Short Film (Fiction or Documentary)

Please read carefully.

Online Submission is exclusively through FilmFreeway.com.

All questions should be directed to: jotff@anewwayoflife.org

The Justice on Trial Film Festival focuses entirely on mass incarceration and reform within the U.S. criminal justice system. Therefore, international films, though important, are not given consideration.

Categories include:

* Short Films (Fiction, Animation & Documentary): Films 10 min – 50 min.
* Feature Length (Fiction & Documentary) Films: 51 min – 120 min.

Films must address the theme of social justice related to mass incarceration and/or the results of mass incarceration. The theme can be interpreted broadly and imaginatively. Elements of films that are represented as documentary films should have a direct connection to actual events, people, and/or places. Any variance from truthful depictions should be clearly noted. By submitting a film in this category, filmmakers take full responsibility for the assertions in their films.

GENERAL RULES
The filmmaker must secure all rights, licenses, clearances, and releases necessary for exhibition.

All categories require online screeners for judging (if password protected, please provide the password). The festival reserves the right to place short film entries in alternative categories than those originally submitted as the judges deem appropriate for the form, content, and programming of the festival.

All films should be submitted online digitally through FilmFreeway.com.

Films must be available for screening during the Justice on Trial Film Festival, September 19-20, 2020. Selection for screening will be determined no later than one month prior to the festival, though we anticipate notifying films selected to screen at the Justice on Trial Film Festival in late July.

Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.

If your film is accepted for screening at Justice on Trial Film Festival, you agree and understand the following:

FORMAT: The filmmaker agrees to provide the festival a copy of the film for festival screening in a Blu-ray (BD) format. Two copies are required.

SHIPPING: The filmmaker is responsible for the arrangements and cost of shipping the screening copy to the Justice on Trial Film Festival along with press kit materials.

PUBLICITY: Upon request, the filmmaker will supply the festival with stills and other press materials in digital file format. In addition, the filmmaker should be available for interviews prior to and during the festival.

LOSS & DAMAGE: Every precaution will be taken to safeguard films and publicity materials while they are in the possession of the festival. However, if loss or damage occurs, the festival cannot accept or assume responsibility

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Micki Dickoff

    Great film festival, powerful films and interesting panel discussions'

    December 2020
  • Dawn Alexander

    I had a great time especially at the keynote event.

    September 2017
    Logo
    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Dawn. The work you are doing to bring awareness around the issues of social injustice is powerful. I wish you continued success with your film! We were honored to screen it at out festival.