Master of Light
Film Synopsis
The Winner of the SXSW 2022 Documentary Feature Grand Jury Award, Master of Light highlights George Anthony Morton, a classical painter who spent ten years in federal prison for dealing drugs. While incarcerated, he nurtured his craft and unique artistic ability. Since his release, he is doing everything he can to defy society’s unlevel playing field and tackle the white-dominant art world. George faces his demons when he returns to his hometown, Kansas City. He does so by painting his family members. Diving deeper into his soul with every brushstroke, George shines a bright light on racial injustice; on the intergenerational trauma that, inescapably, comes with it. What emerges is a deeply personal tour de force, and a powerful, positive portrait of an artist.
Screenings
May 14, 2024
Presented by South Arts: Burrow Museum at Wallace State Community College
Hanceville, AL
May 10, 2024
Presented by South Arts: Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Jackson, MS
Feb 24, 2024
Presented by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – Tippy McMichael Lecture Sereis
Fayetteville, AR
Nov 15, 2023
Presented by Cinema St. Louis/St. Louis International Film Festival
Long Beach, CA
Nov 12, 2023
Presented by Northern Arizona Restorative Justice
Sedona, AZ
Oct 16, 2023
Presented by Hennepin County Library and Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility
Minnetonka, MN
Sep 21, 2023
Presented by Franklin Learning Center High School
Philadelphia, PA
More Info
Private Event
Aug 31, 2023
Presented by Greater Flint Arts Council & Prison Creative Arts Project of the University of Michigan
Flint, MI
Jun 14, 2023
Presented by Councilman Dupre Kelly, Represent Justice, & The Newark Museum of Art
Newrk, NJ
Jun 1, 2023
Presented by Bodine High School for International Affairs
Philadelphia, PA
More Info
Private Event
May 25, 2023
Presented by Friends of Henry O. Tanner House & Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
Philadelphia, PA
May 22, 2023
Presented by Battery Park City Authority & The Fortune Society
New York, NY
Q&A with film participant George Anthony Morton.
May 6, 2023
8:30 PM
Presented by Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site
Philadelphia, PA
Apr 11, 2023
Presented by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction & Kings Art Complex
Columbus , OH
Apr 11, 2023
Presented by Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction & Pickaway Correctional
Orient, OH
Mar 24, 2023
7:00 PM
Presented by Prison Story Project & St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR
Mar 21, 2023
Presented by Center for Community, Service, and Justice at Loyola University Maryland
Baltimore, MD
Feb 9, 2023
Presented by The Community and The Portrait Society Gallery of Contemporary Art Milwaukee, MI
Milwaukee, MI
Panel inspired by film with no screening.
Feb 2, 2023
Presented by The Community and The Portrait Society Gallery of Contemporary Art
Milwaukee, MI
Panel inspired by film with no screening.
Jan 31, 2023
6:00 PM
Presented by Milwaukee Film, Portrait Society Gallery, & The Community
Milwaukee, WI
As part of Art Against the Odds
Dec 9, 2022
7:00 PM
Presented by the University of Maine in Farmington and Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition
Farmington, ME
Dec 7, 2022
7:00 PM
Presented by John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Represent Justice
New York, NY
Dec 2, 2022
4:00 PM
Presented by The Sedona International Film Festival, Sedona Arts Center, and Northern Arizona Restorative Justice
Sedona, AZ
Dec 1, 2022
5:00 PM
Presented by Museum for Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Washington, DC
Virtual
Sep 21, 2022
Presented by Netherlands Film Festival
Utrecht, Netherlands
Best First Feature Winner
Jul 17, 2022
5:15 PM
Presented by National Underground Railroad Museum and Marking Time
Cincinnati, OH
Jun 25, 2022
Presented by Sheffield DocFest
Sheffield, UK
International First Feature Winner
May 5, 2022
Presented by Burruss Correctional Training Center & Heartbound Ministries
Forsyth, GA
Apr 28, 2022
Presented by Atlanta Film Festival
Atlanta, GA
Special Jury Mention – Cinematography
Apr 24, 2022
Presented by San Francisco International Film Festival Festival
San Francisco, CA
McBaine Best Documentary Feature Winner
Mar 16, 2022
Presented by SXSW Film Festival
Austin, TX
Documentary Feature Grand Jury Award Winner
Mar 15, 2022
Presented by Georgetown Arts & Culture
Georgetown, TX
Take Action
Support Atelier South
Support Atelier South, the Atlanta-based art studio founded by George Anthony Morton. Your contribution will help Atelier South make art workshops and community programming accessible for young people in Atlanta and beyond.
Art as a Healing Tool for Youth
Master of Light showcases the healing power of art. We are working to bring the film and art workshops to incarcerated and system-impacted young people nationwide. If you work with young people, request a screening today.
Inclusion at Art Institutions
Access to education, mentorship, funding, and exhibition is crucial for artists returning home after incarceration. If you are an artist, staff member, or volunteer at a museum, gallery, art school, or community arts organization, host a screening today.
Request a Speaker
Request a representative from the film to speak at your screening event!
Credits
A film by ROSA RUTH BOESTEN & GEORGE ANTHONY MORTON
Produced by VULCAN PRODUCTIONS and ONE STORY UP
In collaboration with DOCMAKERS
Director ROSA RUTH BOESTEN
Produced by ROGER ROSS WILLIAMS, ANOUSHA NZUME, ILJA ROOMANS
Executive Producer GEOFF MARTZ
Executive Producer JODY ALLEN
Executive Producer RUTH JOHNSTON, ROCKY COLLINGS, JANNAT GARGI
Cinematographer JURGEN LISSE
Second Cinematographer ROSA RUTH BOESTEN
Editor EPHRAIM KIRKWOOD
Consulting Editor ENAT SIDI
Assistant Editor FRANCESCA SHARPER
Sound Recordist CLIFTON DUMAS
Music GARY GUNN
Sound Designer MIKE FRANK
Impact Campaign
Master of Light shares an inspirational story of resilience and talent emerging from the oppressive circumstances of prison, and a powerful lens into breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma that fuel mass incarceration and disproportionately impact Black and Brown communities in the United States.
Represent Justice is partnering with George Anthony Morton and One Story Up to launch an impact campaign for Master of Light. We will work to uplift the leadership and power of formerly-incarcerated artists, share hope and inspiration with young people who are currently incarcerated, and create a new narrative about the talent of currently and formerly-incarcerated artists.