Almost three years ago, in the early days of Parlay House, we hosted a gathering featuring two female filmmakers, Kelly Duane de la Vega and Katie Galloway. They talked openly about the challenges of being female documentary artists working within California’s prison system. Already having one award-winning film under their belts, they were embarking on a new film called The Return, telling the stories of prisoners being released from prison after having been sentenced to life.
After the film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, the directors came full-circle and held a special screening for Parlay House and our extended family. Full disclosure: This was a hugely important film and topic for my husband David and me, having been the sponsors of Prop 36 and three strikes reform. I helped Executive Direct the film, while he inspired the movement. So, with this being a family affair, we included all spouses, partners, friends and children who wanted to join the event to see The Return.
It was an amazing opportunity to see the film before it appeared on PBS. We were joined by filmmaker Kelly Duane de la Vega and Bilal Kevin Chatman, one of the film’s main characters, for Q&A after the film.
