FEATURE DOCUMENTARY · 2016 · 87 MIN
FREE CeCe!
She survived a brutal attack, only to be imprisoned for defending her life.
Directed by Jacqueline Gares · Executive produced by Laverne Cox
Audience Award, BlackStar Film Festival 2016
Trailer
About the film
On her way to the store with a group of friends, Chrishaun Reed “CeCe” McDonald was brutally attacked. While defending her life, a man was killed. After a coercive interrogation, CeCe was incarcerated in a men’s prison in Minnesota.
An international campaign to free CeCe garnered significant support from media and activists, including actress Laverne Cox. Cox signed on as executive producer of FREE CeCe!, committed to exploring the role race, class, and gender played in CeCe’s case. In the end, CeCe emerged not only as a survivor, but also as a leader.
Documentarian Jac Gares pushed past the everyday narratives of victimhood surrounding the lives of transgender people, to spotlight the way CeCe and other trans people are leading a growing movement fighting for the rights of transgender people everywhere. CeCe’s powerful story highlights the groundswell of voices questioning the prison industrial complex and calling for its disassembly.
FREE CeCe! is directed and produced by Jac Gares and executive produced by Laverne Cox. Slobodan Randjelovic also served as producer. Original music is by Jordana LeSesne with editing by Erik Satre.
Awards & festivals
Audience Award
BlackStar Film Festival, 2016
World Premiere · Los Angeles Film Festival, 2016
Canadian Premiere · Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, 2017
Also screened at BFI Flare: London LGBT Film Festival · Portland Film Festival · Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival · Out On Film, Atlanta · Baltimore International Black Film Festival · Reel Affirmations, Washington, DC · Twin Cities Film Festival · San Francisco Transgender Film Festival · St. Louis International Film Festival · Foyle Film Festival · Bahamas International Film Festival · Frozen River Film Festival · PATOIS Human Rights Film Festival · San Diego Black Film Festival · TRANSlations Film Festival
Press
“An important and timely film.”
Metro Weekly
“A must-see for anyone interested in halting systemic injustice.”
Morgan Rojas, Cinemacy
“Truly an inspiring watch.”
Julia Raban, The Stranger
“A timely documentary on an important social justice subject. Recommended.”
Video Librarian
FOR EDUCATORS, LIBRARIES & ORGANIZATIONS
Educational licensing
FREE CeCe! has been adopted by university libraries and is used in classrooms around the world. Jac Gares Media, Inc. distributes the film to schools, colleges, libraries and organizations directly.
Email jacquegares@gmail.com with your institution and how you plan to use the film.
Public libraries & high schools — $95
For public libraries and high schools: classroom and library use.
Colleges & universities — $600
Digital license in perpetuity: campus-wide streaming for courses, libraries and research, with no renewal fees. Public screenings are not included; see Screenings & events.
Screenings & events — contact us for a quote
One-time public screening for a campus, conference, nonprofit or community event.