Case Study: Songs From The Hole
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)
BROWSE THE CASE STUDY
Songs From The Hole is now streaming worldwide only on Netflix.
%20(1).png)
The Power of the BIPOC Producer | Beyond Resilience
Firelight Media and the Documentary Producers Alliance hosted a conversation about the power of BIPOC producers.
%20(1).png)
Beyond Resilience Masterclass: Making Music Docs that Sing
Firelight Media hosted a Beyond Resilience Masterclass with filmmakers behind some of the most lauded Black music documentaries of the decade.
Filming with Family | Beyond Resilience x CAAMFest Filmmaker Summit 2024
Firelight Media's Beyond Resilience series co-presented a panel at CAAMFest Filmmaker Summit in San Francisco.
%20(1).png)
Interrogating the Festival to Awards Pipeline | Beyond Resilience
Firelight Media and Distribution Advocates hosted a conversation about navigating the festival to awards pipeline for documentary filmmakers.
The Optics of Islam | Beyond Resilience
A conversation with filmmakers and scholars about Muslim and MENASA representation.
The Documentary System is Broken. Now What? | Beyond Resilience
How can we band together to (re)build a system that will ensure independent filmmakers can thrive?
Palestinian Voices | Beyond Resilience
Beyond Resilience, with support from Field of Vision, is proud to be a community partner for the Arab Film & Media Institute's 'Palestinian Voices' program.
Navigating the Ethical and Business Landscape of Artificial Intelligence | Beyond Resilience
A conversation about the evolution of artificial intelligence and its impact on documentary filmmaking, presented with DOC NYC PRO.
STAY CONNECTED
