NEWS
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL 2026
Social-impact film festival announces flagship features: Seeds, Natchez, Shuffle, I Was a Stranger, Louder Than Guns and Handmade Future plus dozens of short films and panels
New York, NY — February 9, 2026 — Justice Film Festival (JFF) today announced six flagship feature films for its 2026 edition: Seeds, Natchez, Shuffle, I Was a Stranger, Louder Than Guns and Handmade Future. Returning February 24–26, 2026, the festival will once again gather filmmakers, artists, activists, students, and audiences in New York City for a week of screenings and conversations exploring stories at the intersection of social justice, human flourishing, and purpose.
Screenings will take place at Firehouse Cinema, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in partnership with The Social Justice Center at FIT, and Fordham University in partnership with the Fordham Center on Religion & Culture.
Seeds, directed by Brittany Shyne, interweaves the stories of three Black generational farmers to create a collective and intimate portrait of farming today. The Sundance award-winning film is a moving and powerful exploration of their lives, joys and struggles as well as the fragility of legacy and owning land.
Natchez, directed by Suzannah Herbert, captures an unsettling clash between history and memory in a small Mississippi town, where the past remains deeply embedded in the present. Both amusing and disturbing, the film observes an antebellum tourist destination at a crossroads, grappling with a legacy so unresolved it raises the question of whether history there is ever truly past.
Shuffle, directed by Benjamin Flaherty, examines the human cost of mass incarceration through an intimate, character-driven lens, revealing how the prison system reshapes identity, family, and the possibility of redemption.
I Was a Stranger, directed by Brandt Anderson, centers on the refugee experience and the transformative power of welcome, hospitality, and belonging, offering a deeply human portrait of displacement, resilience, and hope.
Louder Than Guns, directed by Doug Pray, follows musician Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and journalist David Greene as they seek open, human conversations about gun violence in America after a tragic school shooting in Nashville. Blending music and dialogue, the film brings together voices across divides—rural and urban, gun owners and non-owners—showing how listening and empathy can move the conversation forward in ways our polarized culture rarely allows.
Handmade Future, directed by Kirsten Dickerson, travels across continents to spotlight artisans preserving cultural heritage while advancing ethical, responsible trade—pushing back against fast, cheap production through beauty, skill, and human connection.
“These six films embody the heart of what Justice Film Festival exists to celebrate,” said Andy Peterson, Founder and Creative Director of Justice Film Festival. “They are deeply human stories that challenge us, move us, and invite us to imagine a more just and compassionate world.”
The 2026 festival will feature a curated slate of narrative and documentary features and shorts, filmmaker Q&As, panel discussions, and community engagement events.
Justice Film Festival was founded in 2012 as an independent, artist-driven platform dedicated to elevating films that affirm the dignity of all people and engage pressing social issues with nuance, integrity, and hope.
JUSTICE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES 2025 AWARD WINNERS
Six Groundbreaking Films Honored at 13th Annual Event in New York City February 10-13, 2025
NEW YORK, NY — February 18, 2025 — The Justice Film Festival is proud to announce the winners of its 2025 awards, following the 13th annual festival February 10-13, 2025, recognizing exceptional films that illuminate important social issues, challenge conventions, and showcase stories of resilience and hope. This year’s award-winning films span a range of pressing global issues, artistic innovation, and transformative storytelling.
Spirit of Justice Award – Rule Breakers (directed by Bill Guttentag) This award is presented to a short or feature film that embodies the spirit of the Justice Film Festival—showcasing diverse stories of unexpected courage and redemption across global issues and landscapes. Rule Breakers reflects the universal pursuit of justice while telling a compelling story that inspires hope and dares to teach young minds to dream.
Audience Choice Award – Let Them Be Naked (directed by Jeff Garner) This award, chosen by festival attendees, honors a film that deeply resonates with audiences, sparking meaningful conversations and engagement. Let Them Be Naked follows designer and activist Jeff Garner as he confronts the hidden dangers of toxic chemicals in everyday clothing. Sparked by his mother’s death from breast cancer, Garner partners with global innovators to expose these risks and champion ethical fashion. Through his journey, the film envisions a healthier, more sustainable future for the industry and the planet.
Vision Award – Inheritance (directed by Amy Toensing & Matt Moyer) Awarded to a film that powerfully unveils the harsh realities of the human condition and our fractured world, the Vision Award recognizes storytelling that transforms difficult societal truths into films with profound beauty and consequence. Inheritance chronicles 11 years in the life of Curtis, a hopeful 12-year-old growing up in a family plagued by addiction across five generations. Through Curtis’s journey, it paints a poignant portrait of love, resilience, and struggle in the face of generational challenges.
Vanguard Award – Death by Numbers (directed by Kim Snyder) This award honors films that push artistic boundaries and challenge storytelling conventions. Death by Numbers exemplifies bold, visionary filmmaking that redefines how stories of justice are told on screen through innovation and compelling narrative techniques. The film follows a school shooting survivor as she confronts her assailant in a poetic journey to empowerment, offering a gripping and deeply emotional perspective on trauma and healing.
Climate Award – Fireline (directed by Robin Takao D'Oench) Given to a film that powerfully addresses the urgent climate crisis, this award recognizes films that shed light on environmental challenges, climate justice, and the communities most affected by ecological devastation. Fireline follows an inmate firefighter’s desperate attempt to call home while battling a wildfire with his crew. Highlighting the 30% of CalFire’s workforce made up of prison labor, the film is a tribute to these unsung heroes fighting climate change without a clear path to employment upon release. Fireline underscores the intersection of climate change, labor rights, and social justice, offering a gripping and necessary perspective on a crisis that affects us all.
Impact Award – Black Girls (directed B. Monét) This award honors powerful and thought-provoking films that illuminate the fight for racial or gender equality. Black Girls celebrates the resilience and advocacy of Black women who transform adversity into community impact. Featuring stories from Olympic icon Allyson Felix, food justice pioneer Olympia Auset, and literacy advocate Marley Dias, among others, the film highlights their diverse efforts to inspire change. Through intergenerational healing and activism, Black Girls showcases the unyielding spirit of women dedicated to uplifting their communities and creating lasting legacies.
“The Justice Film Festival is more than a showcase of exceptional films—it is a platform for change, inspiration, and meaningful storytelling,” said Justice Film Festival founder and creative director Andy Peterson. “These award-winning films reflect the power of cinema to ignite conversations, challenge perspectives, and encourage action toward a more just world.”
The Justice Film Festival remains committed to uplifting diverse voices and impactful stories that drive social change. Congratulations to all the winners and filmmakers whose work continues to push boundaries and inspire audiences worldwide.