“Banned Together” screening to open the film festival on November 4th

“Banned Together,” a feature-length documentary exploring the issue of increasing book bans in communities across the country, will be shown at 12 p.m. on Monday, November 4, during the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival at the Cinema Art Theater, 17701 Dartmouth Drive, opened, Lewes.

The film was produced by Atomic Focus Entertainment, which is partially owned by Rehoboth Beach-based producer Allyson Rice. As executive producer, Dr. Gary Seiden from Rehoboth Beach joins the Atomic Focus team. Many local individuals contributed to the project during early fundraising.

Featuring a diverse cast of visionary teenagers, rousing public protests, private threats, criminal charges and dramatic school board meetings, “Banned Together” pulls back the curtain on book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools. The story follows the inspiring journey of three high school students in Beaufort, South Carolina, as they struggle when 97 books are suddenly removed from their school libraries. As these students become national activists, the film documents the larger history of book bans and curriculum censorship that continues to grow across the country. “Banned Together” reveals perspectives on both sides of the controversy and provides an insider’s look at the explosive events taking place in schools and statehouses.

The film features appearances by banned bestselling authors Jodi Picoult, Juno Dawson, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, Ellen Hopkins and Erica L. Sanchez. It also features Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, constitutional scholars, executive director of the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center, organizations fighting on the front lines in Florida, and teachers, librarians, parents and other student activists across the country.

Picoult said: “‘Banned Together’ traces the political origins of book banning in the US and clearly depicts its damaging consequences, but this documentary’s secret weapon is the three wild teenagers from Beaufort, S.C., whose story it follows.” With intelligence, With compassion and determination, these young women speak on behalf of their peers, refuting the specious argument of book banners that claim their actions are protecting children.”

This documentary is the first feature film for Atomic Focus Entertainment. Atomic Focus owners and producers Jennifer Wiggin and Allyson Rice, as well as directors Kate Way and Tom Wiggin, were inspired by the activism of these young students and felt the breadth and urgency of the fast-moving national story and the hidden connection between book bans and books attracted project 2025.

Rice said: “We believe in the rights of parents to determine what content is appropriate for their own child, but a parent’s personal or religious beliefs should not be imposed on other families.” This is the opposite of that Freedom that we enjoy in a democracy. It’s un-American. We hope the local story we follow inspires others across the country about how they can fight back at the local level in their own communities.”

Kanopy, the video streaming service that delivers films of significance to public libraries and colleges around the world, came on board as Atomic Focus’ production partner. “Although the film and children’s video content we share on our platform is carefully curated, it is never censored; We need to make sure this book banning trend is nipped in the bud,” said Jason Tyrrell of Kanopy.

For more information, visit rehobothfilm.com.