As part of our 2025 Beyond Resilience series, we are publishing case studies of films and impact campaigns by Firelight Media-supported filmmakers in order to provide a detailed overview of the filmmaker's journey from ideation to research and development to production to post-production, distribution, and impact and engagement.

The case study, authored by Beyond Resilience Series Producer Sian-Pierre Regis, features candid interviews with filmmaker Contessa Gayles, film protagonist and writer JJ'88, and producer richie reseda. 

Case study highlights include:

• Collaborating with an incarcerated protagonist who was a creative partner throughout the entire production;
• The process for financing the $1M+ production budget;
• Choosing Netflix as a global distribution partner;
• Designing a compelling curriculum around the film that reduces prison time for participants; and 
• Retaining the rights for the original music in the film despite an all-rights deal.

DOWNLOAD THE CASE STUDY (PDF)

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Songs From The Hole is now streaming worldwide only on Netflix.