In a groundbreaking move, A24 will release the powerful drama “Sing Sing” in theaters and prisons at the same time on January 17, 2025. The film follows Divine G, a man wrongfully imprisoned at Sing Sing, who finds purpose by acting in a theater group with other incarcerated men. It tells a compelling story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.
The historic re-release is a collaboration between A24, Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) – the real-life nonprofit the film is based on – and Edovo, which provides educational content to over 1,100 correctional facilities nationwide via tablets. “Sing Sing” will screen in prisons in California, New York, Texas, and 43 other states. “By bringing ‘Sing Sing’ to prisons, we’re giving incarcerated individuals an opportunity to see themselves in a story of resilience and transformation, and to feel inspired to imagine new possibilities for their own lives,” says Edovo founder and CEO Brian Hill.
Sing Sing’s inspiring simultaneous release
The cast includes Hollywood actors Colman Domingo (“Fear the Walking Dead”) and Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”), as well as formerly incarcerated performers like Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin and Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez. Hailed as an emotional and inspiring powerhouse, “Sing Sing” promotes positive change, belief in a good life after serving a sentence, and making peace with past mistakes.
The film’s production was groundbreaking, ensuring everyone involved was paid and received equity. After acquiring the film at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, A24 held premieres inside Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York and San Quentin State Prison in California – the first film festival ever held inside a U.S. prison. Unfortunately, the men at Sing Sing, the prison that inspired the movie, will not be able to see the film this week as their facility does not yet access Edovo’s tablet content.
However, the simultaneous theater and prison release of “Sing Sing” marks a significant step in bringing powerful storytelling to incarcerated individuals across the country.