WHAT FREEDOM
Directed by Paul James
Produced by Jessica Kelly, Joseph Restaino, Ashley Park, Bashir Salhuddin, Findley Davidson & Tony Stopperan
United States | English | 16' | Drama
When a major construction project outside a juvenile detention facility gives Kadeem a chance to escape, he is forced to confront his desire for freedom and grace against the harsh reality of his place in society.
What Freedom is a film that builds with quiet intensity. With powerful performances and striking cinematography, it pulls you into Kadeem’s world — one that is claustrophobic, unjust, and heartbreakingly intimate. Though it touches on massive issues — the school-to-prison pipeline, systemic racism, and the prison industrial complex — it does so through deeply human storytelling. Director Paul James never loses sight of the individual inside the system, making Kadeem’s desire for escape, purpose, and grace all the more gripping. By the final minutes, your heart will be pounding. An unforgettable debut.
Erin Brown Thomas, Artistic Director