“Returning Citizens” focuses on a passionate group of individuals who are looking for a second chance – or perhaps a chance they never had to begin with. Taking place in Southeast Washington, DC, the film offers a humanizing perspective on a community that has been negatively impacted by mass incarceration. From freshly returning individuals struggling to rebuild their lives, to community leaders working to end the on-going cycle of crime and violence, the stories unveiled in “Returning Citizens” offer proof that change is possible when the right opportunities are presented.
Film Specifications
- Documentary Feature
- 1 hour 8 Minutes
- USA
- Languages: English
- Screening Date – Sat June 8, 2019
- Time – 4 pm
- Location – AMC Empire 25
- Theater C
- Q&A included with actors/production team
Director Saffron Cassaday
Saffron Cassaday was born in Toronto and traveled to New York City immediately after completing high school to pursue acting at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. Upon returning to Toronto, she continued to cultivate her acting skills, appearing in 15 feature films and 2 TV series, while working as an assistant director and editor on several online, TV and corporate projects.
In 2014 Saffron directed her first documentary feature film called “Cyber-Seniors”. The film screened at 14 film festivals (winning Audience Choice at the High Falls Film Festival), and played to packed houses in over 200 communities. Cyber-Seniors was nominated for Best Foreign Trailer – Golden Trailer Awards – 2014, and for the American Library Association Notable Videos for Adults – 2016. Saffron has received well over 200 accolades for the film and her work, several coming from the most prestigious media outlets in North America including the New York Times, LA Times, Village Voice and Hollywood Reporter.
The film has been broadcast in 40 countries including on PBS, Netflix and CBC in North America. Cyber-Seniors has also inspired a social campaign, which to date has reached over 800 million individuals through events, traditional media and social media, and is supported by over 900 partners including AARP foundation, Best Buy Foundation, TELUS Canada, BlueCrossBlueShield Mn, and hundreds of schools, universities, and libraries.
Saffron’s second documentary film “Returning Citizens” was shot in Washington, D.C. and focuses on a passionate, close-knit group of formerly incarcerated individuals who now act as leaders in their community. The film was released on Hulu, iTunes and Amazon in late 2017 and was available on Canada VOD in March 2018.
In addition, Saffron has directed and edited a number of short films for corporate clients including Fujitsu, Best Buy and Ergo-Centric Seating.
Film Credits
- Saffron Cassaday, Director
- SaffronCassaday, Writer
- Brenda Rusnak, Writer
- Brenda Rusnak, Producer
- Safffron Cassaday, Producer
- Charles Thornton Key Cast
- Eleanor Holmes Norton, Key Cast
- Tyrone Parker, Key Cast
- Roach Brown, Key Cast
- Lashonia Thompson-El
