Represent Justice Teams Up with Sundance Collab to Support Ambassadors as Emerging Filmmakers
At the 2025 Ambassador Film Showcase, Represent Justice welcomed to the stage Michelle Satter, Founding Senior Director of Sundance Institute’s Artist Programs, to announce a new offering for Represent Justice Ambassadors through Sundance Collab, Sundance Institute’s year-round digital space for global artists to learn, create, build a community, and champion independence in filmmaking.
Michelle unveiled that Sundance Collab will provide all of the 2025 Represent Justice Ambassadors with one year of complimentary access to their video resource library featuring content about screenwriting, TV writing, directing, producing, and much more. This partnership will deepen our Ambassadors' storytelling skills and expand their capacity as filmmakers working to transform narratives around the justice system. Additionally, past Represent Justice Ambassadors will also have access to some of the Sundance Institute’s digital resources.
The announcement was part of an unforgettable evening attended by more than 100 people, where nine original short films premiered — each created by directly impacted filmmakers in our Ambassador program. The films explored themes of youth incarceration, the criminalization of trauma, the journey of reentry, and the healing power of community, sparking powerful conversations both on and off the screen.
Following each screening, the Ambassadors took the stage for panel discussions moderated by the evening’s emcee, Brea Baker, sharing insights into their creative process and the impact they hope to make.
We asked attendees to share how the films moved them — and the responses were incredible:
89% said at least one film shifted their perspective on the criminal legal system. That matters. It means the stories made people pause, reconsider, and reimagine what justice could look like.
For 27%, it was the first time they’d considered who gets to tell stories about the system. That kind of reflection is exactly what these films aim to inspire.
Nearly 80% shared they or a loved one had been directly impacted by the system. The stories weren’t abstract — they were deeply personal.
And perhaps most notably, 100% said they would tell a friend about the films. That means these stories won’t end with the showcase. They’ll ripple outward and spark even more conversations.
The films will be publicly released on August 15, 2025, as Represent Justice and the Ambassadors launch a series of impact campaigns rooted in justice, healing, and collective power.
Want to see the films before they go public?
