World News
AFI DOCS 2021: THE FIRST STEP Comes to DC June 23
Following an outstanding world premiere at the recent Tribeca Film Festival, we wanted to follow up with you on a possible review of this incredible, eye opening documentary THE FIRST STEP – a film by Brandon and Lance Kramer. The film is extremely timely and one of the most important documentaries of this moment. The film will now make its DC premiere at AFI DOCS Film Festival starting this week with an in-person screening in addition to the virtual festival. Screener links and interviews with the filmmakers and subjects from the film are available to schedule now.
In this revealing observational portrait, Black progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones faces a polarised society head on in an effort to reform a broken criminal justice system. Jones, known for calling Donald Trump’s election “a whitelash” live on primetime TV, navigates increasingly tense and isolating political and racial divides in his attempt to become a “bridge builder” during the Trump administration.
Condemned by the right for his progressive beliefs, and by the left for embracing conservatives, this fraught and cinematically captured personal journey questions his integrity from all sides, forcing him to consider not only his activism but his own identity. THE FIRST STEP takes us behind the scenes of these dramatic power struggles, from internal divisions within both parties, to the lives of activists fighting on the frontlines for their communities. – Tribeca Film Festival
Featuring Louis L. Reed, Jessica Jackson, Virgie Walker, Pete White, and Tylo James. Also featuring Jared Kushner, Senator Bernie Sanders, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Shelley Capito, Senator Rand Paul, Senator Mike Lee, Congresswoman Karen Bass, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, Patrisse Cullors, Charlemagne Tha God, Karen Hunter, and Kim Kardashian.
About Director Brandon Kramer
Brandon is a documentary filmmaker and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures. Brandon directed CITY OF TREES (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, national broadcast on PBS’ America Reframed, Netflix); and the Webby Award-winning documentary series THE MESSY TRUTH WITH VAN JONES. Brandon won Best Director at the 2016 Chesapeake Film Festival and Indie Capital Awards, received the Audience Choice Award at the 2015 American Conservation Film Festival and was a 2015 DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Individual Arts Fellow. Brandon has directed over 30 short documentaries commissioned by public agencies and nonprofits including AARP and US Institute of Peace. Before starting MHP, Brandon served as a teaching artist for the John F. Kennedy Center’s national media education program. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in film and cultural anthropology from Boston University.
