ABOUT
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