"A must-see film." - Educational Media Reviews Online | JURY AWARD - Woods Hole Film Festival | OFFICIAL SELECTION - Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
Journalism • Education • Youth Leadership • First Amendment Rights • Democracy & Social Movements • Activism • Law & Civil Rights • Expression & CensorshipDate of Completion: 2020 | Run Time: 45 minutes | Language: English | Captions: Yes | Includes: Study Guide (Full/Presentation & Condensed/Printable) & Transcript | Director & Producer: Maribeth Romslo
Raise Your Voice follows the student journalists at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School navigating their school mass shooting as both survivors and journalists. The documentary explores youth free speech history in America (through the story of Mary Beth Tinker of Tinker v. Des Moines) connecting the Parkland students to a broader story about young voices and their power through social movements.
AWARDS
Jury Award | Woods Hole Film Festival
2nd Runner Up Best Documentary | Woods Hole Film Festival
FESTIVALS
Official Selection | Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
Official Selection | Woods Hole Film Festival
Official Selection | Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
Educational Media Reviews Online | LaRoi Lawton, Library & Learning Resources Department, Bronx Community College of the City University of New York
Highly Recommended "A must-see film."
School Library Journal
"After some harrowing clips in the beginning, the film centers on the First Amendment rights of young people, and encourages teens to speak up when they perceive injustice or a need for change. Consider for government classes and social justice discussions."
Ben Epstein, Professor of Political Science, DePaul University
"Raise Your Voice is a powerful and timely documentary that provides a unique perspective on the intersection of student speech, the First Amendment, and journalism.
Filmmaker Maribeth Romslo deftly weaves the 50th anniversary of the 1969 Tinker vs. Des Moines Supreme Court case, one of the most important cases regarding student speech, with the important efforts of the student journalists at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, as they worked to retell the story and the aftermath of the devastating school shooting that happened in Parkland, FL.
In a time where young voices are increasingly speaking out, marching, and raising their voices in school, online, and in the streets, this documentary is an exceptional resource for high school courses to explore these subjects and their massive relevance in the lives of students.
Raise Your Voice sheds new light on the power that students have through their speech, thoughtful journalism, and activism, along with the battles over what speech is and is not considered free."
Booklist
"Sensitive ... The accompanying study guide fosters critical thinking and includes follow-up discussions."
Maribeth Romslo is a director, cinematographer, and producer who believes that well told stories have the power to change the world. Her latest film RAISE YOUR VOICE follows the student journalists at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School navigating their school mass shooting as both survivors and journalists. Her award-winning films have played at festivals across the globe. Recent projects include an original documentary series (Handmade*Mostly) for Reese Witherspoon’s new media platform called Hello Sunshine, a conceptual dance film (Kitchen Dance) about the work of women, and historical fiction content series series (Spark) to inspire girls interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.