‘Sing Sing’ Set to Be First Film Released in Theaters and Prisons Simultaneously (Exclusive)

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The movie “Sing Sing,” distributed by A24, is poised to revolutionize the idea of a broad cinema release. On January 17th, Colman Domingo’s film will come back to over 500 cinemas nationwide and make history as the first movie accessible to almost a million inmates across the United States simultaneously.

The movie “Sing Sing,” focusing on a troupe of male prisoners involved in a theater program, will be shown within correctional centers in California, New York, Texas, and 43 additional states. This unconventional screening is made possible by a partnership between A24, Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), the actual nonprofit organization serving as inspiration for the film, and Edovo, a nonprofit that designs educational content for tablets, accessible in over 1100 correctional facilities nationwide.>

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The movie “Sing Sing,” depicting a group of men participating in a theater program within a prison setting, will be played in correctional facilities in California, New York, Texas, and 43 additional states. This unique screening is facilitated by a joint effort between A24, Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), the real-life organization upon which the film is modeled, and Edovo, a nonprofit that offers educational content on tablets for use in over 1100 correctional facilities across the U.S.>

Or

The movie “Sing Sing,” centered around a group of prisoners engaged in a theater program, will be screened in correctional facilities across California, New York, Texas, and 43 additional states. This screening is made possible through a partnership between A24, Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), the actual nonprofit organization that served as inspiration for the film, and Edovo, a nonprofit that provides educational content on tablets to correctional facilities in more than 1100 locations across the country.>

Or

The movie “Sing Sing,” which tells the story of a theater program within a prison, will be shown in correctional centers in California, New York, Texas, and 43 additional states. This screening is made possible by a collaboration between A24, Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), the real-life nonprofit organization on which the film is based, and Edovo, a nonprofit that offers educational content via tablets in over 1100 correctional facilities across the U.S.>

Edovo’s founder and CEO, Brian Hill, remarks that narratives hold a remarkable power to ignite hope and foster bonds, even during challenging times. With our program ‘Sing Sing’, we aim to provide individuals who are incarcerated with a chance to recognize themselves within a tale of resilience and transformation. This exposure encourages them to envision fresh prospects for their personal lives.

The movie “Sing Sing,” initially launched last summer and grossed $2.9 million at the box office, has since garnered a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Domingo and three Independent Spirit Award nominations, such as best feature. Notably, Domingo, who was previously nominated for an Oscar for his role in Netflix’s “Rustin,” is being touted as a strong contender for the Oscars this year due to his performance in “Sing Sing” as Divine G, a man unjustly convicted.

The movie features several actors who were previously imprisoned, most notably Domingo and Oscar nominee Paul Raci, along with many others who are graduates of the RTA program, such as Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin and Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez. In simpler terms, a majority of the cast members in this film have criminal records, but they’ve been part of the RTA program and now include notable actors like Domingo and Paul Raci.

Velazquez stated, “My education and experiences in the arts kept me hopeful even during my unjust imprisonment, renewing my trust in human kindness and fostering a culture of redemption behind bars. Sharing the film Sing Sing has the power to change lives in ways we might not even realize.

In the world of cinema, the movie Sing Sing stands out with its innovative approach. Directors Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley ensured fair compensation for their entire team by offering the same salary to everyone on set, from Production Assistants (PAs) to Domingo, who holds the highest position in the call sheet. Furthermore, every individual involved in the film’s production was granted equity.

The way this movie was released has been quite unusual. After A24 bought Sing Sing at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2023, they chose to premiere it within the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, N. Y. in June, and later screened it for a group of incarcerated men at the San Quentin Film Festival, which was the first film festival ever held inside an American prison, in October.

Maclin expressed, ‘We’re here with you all,’ addressing those in attendance who were imprisoned during a Q&A session at the San Quentin Film Festival,” he said. “Your inspiration means a lot to us.

One potential group unlikely to watch the film “Sing Sing” this week consists of men residing within the prison that served as its inspiration, as Sing Sing Correctional Facility has not been equipped with Edovo’s tablet content yet.

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2025-01-14 23:34