Inthrive Film Festival-Newport News: October 21, 2026
Our biggest ever festival in Hampton Roads!
Featuring 9 films made by or featuring the authentic voices and talents of incarceration survivors.
We're challenging the prejudices and preconceptions by creating space to share our stories on our terms for everyone to experience
More Community!
At 12:20pm, Marci Marie Simmons, Whispers Beyond Bars filmmaker, joins us for a special conversation about pregnancy while incarcerated.
Come back in the evening for a special screening of Beyond in partnership with the NAACP of Newport News from 6:30-8:30. Be inspired by the talented men behind bars and learn how you can get involved locally.
Schedule-all events are at the Gaines Theater and are free!
October 21
Thursday
Challenging Views
10am-10:50am
Have your understanding about prisons and incarceration survivors challenged.
Prison and Time
Tarik Shah - Don't Play Like Them
Followed by a discussion
Stories from Reentry
11am-11:45am
Experience two films that explore how people improve their community after they return home.
The Next Act is Freedom
The Second Life of Freddie Nole
Autonomy & Trauma
12pm-2pm
Three films by incarceration surviving women and a filmmaker conversation explore trauma and autonomy for women and men while incarcerated and on probation.
Run It Back
Whispers Beyond Bars
-Conversation with Marci Marie Simmons, Whispers Beyond Bars Filmmaker
Beyond Trauma
The Power of Education
4pm-5:15pm
Discover the transformative power of education in prison with Cohort One.
Followed by a discussion.
"Beyond"
6:30pm-8:30pm
Go behind the walls of Sing Sing Prison as men prepare to move beyond the prison mindset and share who they are through a TEDx style event.
Followed by a discussion.
We Thank Our Partners
