Inside America’s Prison Film Festival

Behind the walls of California’s oldest and most infamous prison, San Quentin, a unique kind of red carpet is rolled out — not for celebrities, but for inmates.

The San Quentin Film Festival, held inside the same prison that once housed the nation’s largest death row, brings together convicted felons, filmmakers, and journalists for a rare cultural exchange.

Inmates like Ryan Pagan, serving 77 years for murder, and Miguel Sifuentes, serving life for armed robbery, have turned to filmmaking as a path to rehabilitation and hope.

Their films — born out of pain, guilt, and redemption — are now being recognized by Hollywood figures like Celine Song and Jesse Williams.

What was once a symbol of punishment has transformed into a center of creativity and emotional healing.

With each short film and story told, San Quentin’s media program is not just producing art — it’s rewriting narratives, rebuilding lives, and redefining what second chances can look like inside America’s prison system.