California Women’s Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla is again making history.
The same institution that hosted the first graduation of peer support specialists, worldwide, is now the first to host a film festival inside a women’s prison.
On March 28, CCWF hosted “San Quentin Film Festival at CCWF”, celebrating the work of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated filmmakers.
The event featured screenings of award-winning short films from the 2025 San Quentin Film Festival, followed by a filmmaker panel moderated by comedian and television host W. Kamau Bell. Awards were presented for a Narrative and Documentary Pitch Competition, open exclusively to incarcerated women at CCWF and the California Institution for Women.
The event also included a “Women in Film” panel and Q&A, providing incarcerated women insight into the entertainment industry and an opportunity to interact with working professionals in the industry. The panel was moderated by an incarcerated writer for the CCWF Paper Trail, the in-prison newspaper, Lakisa “Kiki” Crowder.
“San Quentin Film Festival at CCWF offers incarcerated participants a powerful platform for self-expression and storytelling, and valuable exposure to the film industry and potential career pathways,” CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber said.
Since its inception in 2024, participants of the San Quentin Film Festival have leveraged experience gained to pursue careers in the film industry after release, including earning internships and job opportunities. It aligns with CDCR’s goals to provide incarcerated people with the tools they need to successfully and safely reenter their communities.
The co-founder of this festival, Cori Thomas, was thrilled with the transition to CCWF.
“We are deeply moved to be playing a small part in helping to even the playing field for these women,” the award-winning playwright, screenwriter and author said. “We hope the experience will empower them to tell their own stories and bring their unique perspectives to the table, and that today’s event will lead to additional industry engagement.”
Watch the video below.
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