Documentaries
We send DVD’s of all of our films at no charge to educators and stakeholders. To request DVDs email us HERE.
Parental incarceration series:
1. Echoes of Incarceration (2009 - 10-min)
This first film from the Echoes project introduces viewers to the world of children with incarcerated parents in all their joy, pain, and resilience. Through the stories of four young people, as well as experts and advocates in the field, this film creates an emotional, compelling case for the importance of ongoing parental contact. The DVD has been shown thousands of times in prisons, universities, trainings around the country, and won the “Speaking Out” award at Media That Matters Film Festival.
2. Caring Through Struggle (2013 - 11-min DVD)
Youth filmmakers explore the hidden issues faced by grandparents and caregivers raising children with incarcerated parents. Includes 12-minute extra chapter for social workers. Created with help from the NYC Department of Aging Grandparent Resource Center.
3. Visiting - Through the Youth Lens (2014)
Created in collaboration with Sesame Street and Upworthy, this film premiered at the White House in 2014, and focuses on the importance of maintaining contact while a parent is incarcerated. Research has shown that a sustained relationship with a parent in prison is one of the strongest factors in both reducing a child's trauma, and also in reducing that parent's rate of recidivism. Yet children often face huge resistance to visiting a parent. This film digs into the challenges, sorrows, and incredible joys of visiting a parent in prison, and address one of the deepest misconceptions that children with incarcerated parents face.
4. Resiliency stories
From Obie-winning playwright Daniel Beaty, to celebrated hip hop artist F.Stokes, to high school-age poets, to Echoes crew members’ own autobiographical pieces, this series collects short documentary success stories about artists and activists who have had a parent in prison, and what it took for them to find their voice. See the page of stories HERE
5. The Visit: A Day with my Father at Sing Sing
Crew member Kharon Benson was told all his life his father was away in the military. At age 11 he got a letter from his father and learned he’s actually serving a 25-to-life sentence. In this powerful film, Kharon explores his complex emotions of that discovery which ultimately lead him to bring a camera to Sing Sing to ask his father all the questions he’s always wanted to ask.
6. Parenting from Behind Bars and During Reenty
(in production) This film explores the complex, challenging, but vitally important role that parents can play in their children's lives from behind bars. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of supporting the parent-child relationship, and also to provide a resource DVD for parenting classes inside prisons.
Other prison reform and reentry titles
Know Your Rights Gameshow (2022, 6 min)
Did you know that a police officer can pat you down for weapons but not for drugs? How do you feel about eating crickets? A team of youth in the summer camp created this hilarious video teaching viewers their rights when stopped by police.
Re-Imagine the Future (2008 - 15-min)
Ten formerly incarcerated individuals tell their inspiring stories of their journey from prison to college. This piece was commissioned by the New York State Department of Corrections, and is shown in in facilities across New York State. View online HERE.
Passport to the Future: Accessing Higher Education in an Era of Mass Incarceration (20-min )
This film, created with Soros Justice Fellow Benay Rubenstein, explores the barriers to college admissions for applicants with criminal history. Their stories become a window into our broken system of mass incarceration and reentry. View online HERE.
