Genre
Synopsis
BREAKING OUT: THE TUFTS PRISON INITIATIVE will be a feature documentary about a creative and innovative program at Tufts University which creates seismic social change through education and community building. On a structural level, professors go into Boston area prisons to teach; based on the success of the program, Tufts then extended admission to formerly incarcerated participants of the program and launched a re-entry skills educational program. David Delvalle is a formerly incarcerated man who was the first graduate of the TUPIT/MyTern program, and now spends his life in devotion to paying that life-changing chance forward. As we meet all of the people David has impacted, from his working at TUPIT and its re-entry program to his work teaching life skills like cooking healthy and affordable meals, we see the profound impact that even just an individual can have, planting to seeds of hope for generational and societal positive change.
Since its founding in 2016, TUPIT has been a program dedicated to social justice, diversity, and accessibility. At its core, TUPIT is committed to using the power of education to create positive change for individuals, communities, and society. The program has been transformational for traditional Tufts students, incarcerated students, MyTERN students, Tufts faculty, and staff alike. By bringing in film students, faculty, and film professionals, this film project further extends the community of students, faculty, and mentors in Boston which strengthens community.
Bio
Gabrielle C. Burton is a filmmaker who helms the production company FIVE SISTERS PRODUCTIONS with her five real-life sisters. With a passion for strong human-focused storytelling and social engagement, she won Ohio Arts Council’s Individual Excellence Award both in writing and in filmmaking. Burton directed the award-winning doc KINGS, QUEENS, & IN-BETWEENS on gender and drag which, after a national theatrical release, is used as an education tool in universities, medical conferences, and community organizations. Current projects include: HALF THE HISTORY series , SOMEBODY TO LEAN ON (on an Ohio men's prison choir), A FUTURE WISH (gotv film), and THE SKY’S THE LIMIT (on the 13 women astronaut trainees in 1961-2). Burton’s films incorporate social engagement campaigns with discussions, action, and community dialogues (e.g. the CAST commercial campaign against human trafficking with Emmy nominee Julia Ormond). Burton's creative style weaves complex stories and voices together to explore human nature and social change. FSP produces features, docs, and shorts, focusing on incorporating creative participation and underrepresented voices. Films include MANNA FROM HEAVEN (MGM/Sony), TEMPS (Netflix), JUST FRIENDS (Starz), THE HAPPIEST DAY OF HIS LIFE (MTV/LOGO), Julia Sweeney's LETTING GO OF GOD (Showtime). She also produced and directed on OLD GUY (IGTV), a comedic short form series about the stereotypes of aging in the media which was up for an Emmy nomination. Burton is a published poet and working actor (Foxcatcher, Outsiders) and won a Wexner Center for the Arts artist's residency for her next project inspired by her TEDxTalk about gender and parenting (selected by TEDx for their national playlist: http://youtu.be/YOkyc91eY90). Her TEDxTalk on complexity and our “spheres of personal perspective” was given as part of TEDx Tours (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNUPLd6OVZw). More at www.fivesisters.com.
