The First Step
Online World Premiere

The First Step

Tribeca Online Premieres
Feature | United States | 86 MINUTES
Documentary, Politics

In this revealing observational portrait, Black progressive activist and political commentator Van Jones faces a polarized society head on in an effort to reform a broken criminal justice system. Jones, known for calling Donald Trump's election “a whitelash” live on primetime TV, navigates increasingly tense and isolating political and racial divides in his attempt to become a “bridge builder” during the Trump administration.

Condemned by the right for his progressive beliefs, and by the left for embracing conservatives, this fraught and cinematically captured personal journey questions his integrity from all sides, forcing him to consider not only his activism but his own identity. The First Step takes us behind the scenes of these dramatic power struggles, from internal divisions within both parties, to the lives of activists fighting on the frontlines for their communities. —Luke Moody


Cast & Credits
Directed by
Brandon Kramer

Brandon Kramer is a Washington, DC-based filmmaker and co-founder of Meridian Hill Pictures. Brandon directed City of Trees (Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, PBS' America Reframed, Netflix); and the Webby Award-winning independent documentary series The Messy Truth. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in film and cultural anthropology from Boston University.

Director
Brandon Kramer
Producer
Lance Kramer
Cinematographer
Emily Topper
Composer
Joshua Abrams
Editor
Natasha Livia Mottola, Steven Golliday, Leslie Simmer, Sara Fusco
Executive Producer
Abigail E. Disney, Regina K. Scully, Robert F. Smith, Deon & Roxanne Taylor, Brad Buhr & Bryanna Sapp, Christina & David Arquette, Daniel S. Loeb, Jana Carter
Associate Producer
Derly Pérez, Keira Kennedy, William Jenkins, Rachel Dickson, Sarah Haas
Consulting Editors
Lewis Erskine, Carol Dysinger, Edwin Martinez
Consulting Producers
Gordon Quinn, Katy Chevigny, Marilyn Ness, Molly O'Brien
Archival Producer
Amilca Palmer
Contributing Producer
Clara Wu Tsai
Cast
Van Jones, Donald Trump, Kim Kardashian, Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Bernie Sanders, Jared Kushner

Contacts
Print Source
Lance Kramer
Meridian Hill Pictures
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202 450 4085
lance@meridianhillpictures.com
Press Contact
DAVID MAGDAEL
DAVID MAGDAEL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
LOS ANGELES, CA 90015-4324
Phone: 213 399 1434
DMAGDAEL@TCDM-ASSOCIATES.COM
Press Contact
Vince Johnson
DAVID MAGDAEL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
LOS ANGELES, California 90015 / CALIFORNIA
Phone: 415 298 4154
VJohnson@tcdm-associates.com
US Sales Contact
Kevin Iwashina
Endeavor Contact
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310 246 3119
KIwashina@endeavorcontent.com
International Sales Contact
Kevin Iwashina
Endeavor Contact
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: 310 246 3119
KIwashina@endeavorcontent.com
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.

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