ABOUT

intimate, far-reaching in scope and engaging...one of the best films of THE YEAR.”

James Owen, COLUMBIA DAILY TRIBUNE

SYNOPSIS

 

In a divided America, progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones controversially works across party lines on landmark criminal justice reform and a more humane response to the addiction crisis. Attempting to be a bridge builder in a time of extreme polarization takes Van and a coalition of unlikely allies deep into the inner workings of a divisive administration, internal debates within both parties, and the lives of frontline activists fighting for their communities.

TEAM

 

Directed by Brandon Kramer and produced by Lance Kramer

An independent production of Meridian Hill Pictures (CITY OF TREES, PBS, Netflix, 2016) and Magic Labs Media.

Produced in association with Kartemquin Films (MINDING THE GAP, Hulu, 2019 Oscar Nominated) and Big Mouth Productions (DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD, Netflix 2020).

Edited by Steven Golliday, Natasha Livia Mottola, Sara Fusco and Leslie Simmer, the editorial talent behind KING IN THE WILDERNESS (HBO, Sundance 2018), BIRTH OF THE COOL (PBS, Sundance 2019) and AMERICA TO ME (Starz, 2018).

Cinematography by Emily Topper (MISS AMERICANA, AFTER TILLER)

View the full crew on IMDB

AWARDS

THE FIRST STEP premiered as an Official Selection at the Tribeca Film Festival, and was an official selection at AFI DOCS, Bentonville Film Festival, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival, and more than 40 other film festivals across the US.


AWARDS:

  • Oxford Film Festival — Best Documentary Feature

  • Boston GlobeDocs — Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature

  • Bozeman International Film Festival — Best Documentary Feature

  • Lakefront Film Festival — Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature

  • Lane Documentary Film Festival — Best Social Justice Feature Film

  • Cinema for Peace — Award for Justice Nominee

  • Evident Change Media For a Just Society Awards — Finalist

  • DOC NYC 40 Under 40 List — Producer Lance Kramer

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