Represent Justice

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How can storytellers portray young people impacted by the justice system with greater authenticity, complexity, and humanity? We're excited to share a new resource made in collaboration with our friends at the Center for Scholars & Storytellers (CSS): How to Tell Stories of Justice System-Impacted Youth On Screen — 10 Tips for Authentic Portrayals. Created through CSS’s Narrative Change & Social Impact Initiative, the resource brings together CSS’s work at the intersection of research and entertainment with Represent Justice’s expertise in using storytelling to reimagine the legal system. Importantly, the recommendations were shaped by Represent Justice Ambassador alumni with firsthand experience of the justice system. Their perspectives highlight opportunities for storytellers to move beyond portrayals that define young people solely by their system involvement and instead show their relationships, aspirations, challenges, joy, growth, and futures. This resource also marks an exciting new chapter for both of our organizations as Represent Justice officially joins CSS as a partner, helping connect lived experience and advocacy expertise with the entertainment industry to support more authentic storytelling. We’re grateful to The Annie E. Casey Foundation, whose support made this partnership and work possible. Explore the full tip sheet: https://lnkd.in/eDp_hZ-U

The nine 2026 Ambassador films released this month are now all available for on-demand viewing! Each of the short films tells a deeply personal story about finding pathways outside of criminalization, how to build a sense of belonging after incarceration, the persistence of punishment even after serving time, and how we can reimagine just futures together. Watch them all at repjustice.org/films.

Exposing injustice is just the first step. Pushing for accountability and taking action are what builds the future. Introducing Reimagining Just Futures, the fourth and final curated collection in our 2026 Ambassador film rollout, featuring Cesar Garcia’s Stocopticon and Kenneth Webb’s The Weaver in a Haystack. Bringing together two films and their accompanying impact campaigns, Reimagining Just Futures shows what's possible when communities dare to imagine a system focused on healing over punishment. These films shift the conversation from what must be dismantled to what we have the power to create. They remind us that technology and art are not neutral: their impact depends on who shapes them, whose needs they serve, and which futures they help us imagine. A just future requires more than just reforming harmful systems. It needs investment in the creativity, knowledge, and leadership of the people who have experienced those systems. Watch both of these films, learn more about the filmmakers, and explore their impact campaigns today at repjustice.org/films.

Freedom is not something we experience alone. Being released from incarceration doesn't automatically create belonging. Introducing Belonging After Incarceration, the second curated collection in our 2026 Ambassador film rollout, featuring What Grace Leaves Behind by Cecilia Zavala and Rewritten by Angie Frias. Bringing together two films and their accompanying impact campaigns, Belonging After Incarceration explores how mentors, artists, advocates, peer navigators, and community members help people move beyond the labels and barriers imposed by the system. Together, these films show the importance of building community and how we all play a part in helping others reclaim identity, dignity, voice, and opportunity after contact with the justice system. Watch both of these films, learn more about the filmmakers, and explore their impact campaigns today: https://lnkd.in/gjv4Qd_Z

What becomes possible when we respond to a crisis with care instead of punishment? Introducing Pathways Beyond Criminalized Crisis, the first curated collection in our 2026 Ambassador film rollout. Bringing together three films and their accompanying impact campaigns, Pathways Beyond Criminalized Crisis explores what happens when trauma, mental health needs, and personal struggles are met with criminalization. Together, the films point toward another path, one grounded in care, accountability, healing, and the possibility of transformation. Now Available for Digital Streaming: The Silent (R)evolution: Freedom from the Inside Out by Julius Irving follows a deeply personal journey after Julius enters a Florida courtroom expecting to be released, but a judge’s words both shock and forever shape him. Uncarcerated by Leigh Scott challenges us to imagine mental health crises as public health issues rather than criminal justice encounters—and asks what could change if care responded first. Loud Silence by Todd Jones confronts childhood sexual abuse, trauma, and the silence surrounding mental health among Black men, showing what becomes possible when survivors are heard. Watch all three films, learn more about each filmmaker, and explore their impact campaigns at repjustice.org/films.

These nine justice-centered films will give people the space to see themselves in someone else’s experience. This slate of films from our 2026 Ambassadors highlights our shared humanity and makes us feel more connected to each other. We're excited to announce that you'll be able to watch them on-demand, starting next week. Our 2026 Ambassador cohort features 10 filmmakers. Nine films will become publicly available for on-demand viewing beginning in September. Starling Thomas' film, Born Captive, will be available for in-person screenings only. Tune in each of the next four Mondays as we share these stories with the world: repjustice.org/films

The stories that change our justice system come from the people who know it best. Starting Monday, our 2026 Ambassador films are bringing those stories to your screen. Tune in at repjustice.org/films.

The Community is honored to serve as a screening support partner for Loud Silence, a film by Todd Jones produced by Represent Justice. The film centers Todd's journey from childhood sexual abuse and incarceration to healing and purpose. The film confronts the silence that too often surrounds sexual violence against Black boys and men. We'll be sharing screening details soon. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gabP_NRe