About Us

David had experienced the struggles of life after incarceration including barriers to housing and employment. He also had developed relationships with policy makers who believed in second chances. The seminal moment was when a politician told him, "I believe in giving people a second chance but my constituents don't. I need you to change their mind."

David realized if media has created a false narrative then we can use media to correct that narrative.

David saw a film festival could be a platform for incarceration survivors to share their story on their terms. He reached out to filmmakers, film festival directors & programmers, and artists. They helped him understand the issues of storytelling & incarceration and the nuts and bolts of film festival management.

The first Inthrive Film Festival was held in Richmond, VA, on Oct 14, 2023. Incarceration surviving filmmakers and advocates from around the country came together to celebrate what's possible after incarceration. More than just a gathering, it was a place where artists sold their first work, advocates networked, and new projects were launched. It was a powerful event and everyone knew there was potential for something more!