The second San Quentin Film Festival is officially scheduled to return to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center later this year on October 23 and 24.
This fall, for two days, film-industry insiders will once again converge on the 173-year-old San Quentin to connect with incarcerated filmmakers, a repeat performance of last year’s historic first-ever film festival held inside a U.S. penal institution.
“We just received the official approval a few weeks ago,” said Cori Thomas, co-founder and co-director of SQFF25. “We expect outside media to attend again, and exciting industry guests.”
When asked, why do this again? Thomas said, “The original reason I had this idea was to one, allow the outside industry, of which I am a part, the opportunity to see the excellent work I was privy to see; and two, open the doors to allow a pipeline to work on the outside.”
For the better part of two decades, prisoners at San Quentin have produced news, radio, podcast, and video content in its media center. In recent years, filmmaking has taken place. The SQFF’s debut is a result of that work.
“The film industry has long focused on crime and incarceration as subject matters, without using people with lived experience to tell their own stories,” Thomas said. “In addition to preventing recidivism, [the SQFF] gives incarcerated artists the opportunity to practice their art.”
There will be several changes at SQFF25. A new category, for longer films, is open for anyone to submit, according to Thomas. She said originally the category was only opened to filmmakers who had never been incarcerated.
“What was interesting was the huge number of films submitted in this category,” said Thomas. “[It] highlighted the fact that most films about incarceration are made by people who have never been incarcerated.”
Thomas said because of the success of SQFF24, “We are seeing people who might have hidden the fact of their incarceration—perhaps out of fear of never getting work in the industry—now stepping forward and excited about this festival.” She said this allows stories to be told in a more authentic, realistic way, which makes communities safer in the long run.
“The stereotypical tropes that come from uninformed storytelling end up being very harmful,” said Thomas. “We aim to change that narrative by allowing the world to see incarcerated and formerly incarcerated storytellers in a new light.”
Two years ago, Pollen Initiative, the nonprofit that supports programs in San Quentin’s media center, brought in members of SF Film Society. They have been coming in on their own to host filmmaking workshops for the incarcerated, some of whom were already skilled in writing and filmmaking, before prison.
Among other changes, SQFF25 has extended the screenwriting and documentary pitch competitions to other prisons on the path to opening media centers to their populations.
“We wish we could extend the invitation to all prisons, but we don’t have the capacity this year,” said Thomas. “As we add more staff, we hope to extend the opportunities to all prisons.”
The San Quentin Film Festival has also added new programs to its roster. Throughout the year, SQFF Presents holds workshops, put on by highly distinguished people in the industry, and screening of films with panel discussions.
On February 24, Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, director and writer of the Oscar-nominated film “Sing Sing,” and acclaimed cinematographer Amy Vincent provided instruction to the incarcerated men at San Quentin, where they learned to work on a real film set using Kodak-loaned cameras and film.
In March, Paul Rogers (Academy Award–winning editor of the film “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once”) came to provide valuable editing tips to the San Quentin media center filmmakers. He gave them some advice on how to edit the short film shot on Feb. 24. “This was an inspiring and illuminating discussion on editing,” said Thomas
“Last year, a lot of stories mentioned the fact that state lunches were provided to the guests [at SQFF24],” said Thomas. “This year we will be providing some outside food, but there may be some state food available for those who wish to partake.”
“Within 18 months of returning home, formerly incarcerated filmmakers are invited to submit proposals for projects they wish to work on, which can include film equipment they want to purchase, and classes they wish to attend,” said Thomas. “A committee of peers and industry professionals choose four to receive a grant to help them with their goal, along with mentorship.”
The outside SQFF team will consist of the same players from last year’s film festival. They are as follows: Rahsaan Thomas, co-founder and co-director, will run the festival with Cori Thomas (no relation). Katherine Moore is the SQFF event producer and publicist. William Baker is SQFF’s technical coordinator.
“Former Capt. Samuel Robinson is an integral part of our team,” said Cori Thomas. “He coordinates with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and advises us on the logistics of rules and regulations.”
Robinson was San Quentin’s public information officer for more than a decade. He was instrumental in paving the way for the institution’s media center, by saying “yes” and green lighting the establishment of audio, video, and print productions.
Brian (Asey) Gonsoulin—who paroled from San Quentin in 2024—is also an event producer.
The incarcerated inside producers are Harold Meeks and this writer, Kevin D. Sawyer. Josh Joaquin is the logo designer and web artist on the inside team.
“We could not do this without Little Giant Lighting stepping forward to help this event look as good as it did,” said Cori Thomas, adding, “I have asked Greater Good [incarcerated musicians] to greet us with their gorgeous world music again, in addition to other entertainment.”
The success of SQFF has an abundance of support, including from Pollen Initiative which provides expert volunteer support and funding for programs in San Quentin’s media center.
Thomas said she is excited the virtual film festival is also returning to allow those unable to attend the opportunity to see all of the films online.
Submission dates are from May 1 to July 31, 2025.More information is available at the SQFF25 website. Films can be submitted through Film Freeway, which can be accessed at www.sanquentinfilmfestival.com. Email: info@sanquentinfilmfestival.com.
