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"Finally, a positive treatment of probation. Inspiring!"

—VERONICA CUNNINGHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,

AMERICAN PROBATION AND PAROLE ASSOCIATION

IN A WHOLE NEW WAY

Undoing mass incarceration by a path untraveled

WITH FANS ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM—

FROM GOP LEGISLATORS TO NOAM CHOMSKY:

"As I observed almost four years ago about Project Lives—the book of photographic self-portrayals by New York public housing residents, with imagery intertwining revelatory text—it is always inspiring to see the scorned and disenfranchised take control of their lives.

 

"Now comes the book and documentary about cameras turned over to the city's probationers, the latest effort by the non-profit Seeing for Ourselves. Once again, we recognize how connected we all remain. Once again, the photographs open our eyes and warm our hearts. Once again, our concerns for social justice broaden and deepen."         

“Sometimes solutions are in front of us, but we do not see and do not ask. Turning New Yorkers on probation into photographers documenting their own stories has led to an amazing cultural change. Seeing for Ourselves documents it beautifully in their film and book In a Whole New Way."

 

—Linda Connelly,

    President/CEO,

    Successful Reentry

Equipped with cameras and a novel artistic technique,

some people of color ensnared in probation

set out in a whole new way to return the sanction to its rehabilitative roots—

only to find themselves transformed by the attempt.

               FILM

In a Whole New Way

In a Whole New Way

Watch Trailer
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Rent $2.99

 

              BOOK

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ORDER

    via amazon.com

ORDER

       via bn.com

  ORDER

     via bookshop.org

   "IN A WHOLE NEW WAY" FREE TRAILER 

                      AND FILM RENTAL

The rental fee allows us to continue to promote the film in the interest of criminal justice reform.

         FILM POSTER

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TASH SULTANA PERFORMS "JUNGLE," FEATURED IN THE FILM,

AT THE STATE THEATER JUNE 28, 2022 IN PORTLAND, MAINE—

THE CITY WHERE THE DOCUMENTARY WAS PRODUCED!

ORDER via our publisher's channel

ADVANCE NOTICES

“Institutional reforms often start from the outside and work inward, which is one reason why so many overpromise and underdeliver. In a Whole New Way shows us what it could look like when reform begins with the perspective of those on the inside of a system—in this case, individuals on probation in New York City. Using participatory photography as a means of visual storytelling, the participants in this transformative project narrate their view of the world through the lens of a camera. In so doing, they remind us that it’s often not people who need changing but the systems that envelope their lives and so frequently constrain their futures.”

—Steve Woolworth,

   Chief Executive Officer,   

   International Community Justice   

   Association

 

"A landmark in participatory photography!"

—Denise Bibro Fine Art, NYC

“The impact of second chances, unlike incarceration, cannot be measured by metrics alone. In a Whole New Way visually captures, on a human level, the challenges experienced by justice-impacted New Yorkers, illustrating that probation, like the criminal injustice system, needs reform.”

—Elizabeth Frederick,

    Chief Operating Officer,

    Avenues for Justice

"A wonderful contribution to our field. In a Whole New Way contains so much – it’s an engaging history of community corrections and a glimpse of how probation is practiced in New York City. It’s a series of memorable and moving vignettes about people whose lives have been touched by crime and the justice system. But what will stick with me is the pictures. Throughout the book, we see the faces of those who are participating in this unique and special program. They are smiling and engaged, clearly relishing the opportunity to see and be seen as so much more than the criminal convictions that brought them to probation in the first place. The light in their eyes – their positivity and evident optimism about their futures – is an overwhelming argument for the importance of meaningful second chances as a core component of our justice system."

—Megan Quattlebaum

    Director,

    The Council of State Governments    

     Justice Center

REVIEWS


"This book will still be read two hundred years from now!"
In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer  
  podcast


"Intriguing!"
Lean Left podcast

"“An incredible book...a remarkable project...a groundbreaking endeavor...represents an unyielding commitment to fostering understanding and change through the lens of powerful imagery and storytelling.”
Stories from the 78 podcast
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           NEWS

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    Portland Press Herald covers the third Seeing for Ourselves initiative!

    A successful screening of the film and book signing held at a plenary session of the American Probation and Parole Association annual conference in New York City August 29.

    Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Stories from the 78 podcast.

    Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Lean Left podcast.

     

    Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Dave Nemo Weekends Interview (trucker radio show).

    Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on Conversations Live with Cyrus Webb radio show.

     

    Filmmaker and co-editor Jonathan Fisher interviewed on In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer podcast.

    Filmmaker interviewed on The Criminologist podcast.

    Film screened for The Council of State Governments Justice Center June 9.

     

    Film screened for the American Civil Liberties Union April 25 to further its Delaware reform effort.

     

     

     

    Film screened this summer on public television stations across the country.

     

     

     

     

     

    Film screened in person for NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety,

    Phillip Banks III; pitch deck distributed to City Council!

    Exhibit planned by Islip Art Council for September.

    We thank the Onyko Film Awards in Odessa, Ukraine for their recognition. Our hearts go out to them now.

    Recent Win: Best Documentary at World Webfest Mania in NYC.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    As of September 1, 2023, the documentary "In a Whole New Way" has been selected by over 200 film festivals worldwide, winning 66 awards in the process! See the list.

    Catch the Feb 17, 2022

    Zoom film screening/discussion

    with Maine justice and legislative officials!

     

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                          The follow-up to
               the globally acclaimed first book
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    The documentary that has warmed hearts around the world...in China as well as back home in America; in Russia as well as Ukraine; in Iran as well as Israel.  Filmgoers everywhere now view the marginalized in a whole new way.

     

               FILM SCREENINGS

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    Ocktober Film Festival

    September 30, 2022

    Greenpoint, Brooklyn

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    Festival of Cinema NYC

    August 14, 2022

    Jamaica, NYC

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    Schoodic Arts for All

    July 30, 2022

    Winter Harbor, Maine

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    Whistleblower Summit & Film Festival

    July 27, 2022

    Washington DC

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    Roxbury International Film Festival

    June 26, 2022

    Boston, Massachusetts

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    Love Wins International Film Festival

    June 19, 2022

    Patchogue, New York

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    Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival

    April 24, 2022

    Asbury Park, New Jersey

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    Utopia Film Festival

    November 21, 2021

    Greenbelt, Maryland

    Filmmaker Q&A Following Screening

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    North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival

    November 4, 2021

    Fargo, North Dakota

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    United Nations Association Film Festival

    October 25, 2021

    Palo Alto, California

    Filmmaker Panel on Criminal Justice Reform

     

       LATEST EXHIBITS

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            OTHER EVENTS
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    Remote Q&A with Miraban Film Festival

    February 16, 2022

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    Remote Q&A with Something Wicked DocuFest

    February 25, 2022

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    Workshop for Probation Industry

    August 30, 2022

    NOTABLE FESTIVAL LAURELS
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    Official Winner Laurel Amsterdam International Film Festival_black_transparent for website
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    FILM REVIEWS

    "Finally, a positive treatment

    of probation. Inspiring!"

    —Veronica Cunningham,

        Chief Executive Officer,

        American Probation

        and Parole Association

    "Such a thoughtful and life-affirming documentary!"

    —Steve Woolworth,

        President,

        International Community

        Justice Association

    "A wonderful film!"

    —NYC Deputy Mayor Phillip Banks III

      

    "Otherness in criminal justice must be addressed—and photography is a great way to get at that. In a Whole New Way leverages the visual arts to break down barriers and truly utilize the power of perspective-taking!"

    The Criminologist podcast

    PROGRAM REVIEWS

    "A unique lens on community."

         —NY1-TV

    "Each photo depicting what they see through a lens. Their stories. Their neighborhood struggles. And beauty."

         —News12 Bronx

    "Andre Whitehead speaks of probation with something like reverance."

         —The Philadelphia Inquirer

    "This program really is changing lives and hopefully helping to change the criminal justice system.

    I can't wait to see what you do next!"

         —Here and Now, WABC-TV

    FILM VENUE COVERAGE

    “Despite the undeniably important reality behind the action taken by the subjects of this documentary, In a Whole New Way feels uplifting and hopeful for a better future.

     

    "Eloquently narrated and thoughtfully put together, this documentary proves people can affect change. That if communities come together we make the world a better place.”

         —Infinity Film Festival (London)

    "A film about the camera's power and the injustice of the American justice system. Brilliantly shot and with great force, the filmmaker makes us aware of one of the biggest problems facing American society today."

         —Magna Film Awards (Hawaii)

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    Loudoun Arts Film Festival, September 12, 2021

    Middleburg, Virginia

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    Manhattan Film Festival, June 23, 2021

    Greenwich Village, New York City

    World Premiere

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