Dear Readers,
Among the many excellent films shown at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, one premiere was very special for me — and for many others — as it won both the Audience Award in the Documentary Competition and the Festival Favorite Award!
Daughters is an incredibly moving and beautiful documentary that was inspired by Angela Patton's 2013 TEDXWomen Talk about the father-daughter dances she organized in a prison in her community of Richmond, VA. These “Daddy Daughter Dances” give girls with incarcerated fathers the opportunity to dance with their dads in a very special annual event. Angela’s idea became a movement that has changed lives and even prison policies.
Watch Angela’s 2012 TED Talk:
Angela says that after her talk, which has been watched over a million times, many filmmakers reached out to her wanting to make a documentary about her program.
Initially, she was wary because some of the stories that had been done in the local news were not truly representative of the girls and their lives. But eventually, she decided that making a documentary would help to get the word out about the Daddy Daughter Dances, Camp Diva and other programs sponsored by Girls For A Change, the nonprofit that works to advance opportunities for Black girls that Angela also launched and leads.
Ultimately, she chose to work with filmmaker Natalie Rae and they decided to co-direct the film together. They thought it would take about two to three years to make the film, but it took time to pull together the funding and get all the permissions they needed to film in the prison, and then Covid happened. Eight years later, Daughters was finally completed.
Watch the trailer:
The film follows four girls –– Aubrey, Santana, Raziah and Ja’Ana –– as they plan and prepare for the dance. They speak candidly about their hopes, dreams and disappointments. We also get to hear from the fathers about the experience of dressing up and spending time with their daughters without glass partitions or electronic devices.
As executive producer Kerry Washington told The Hollywood Reporter, “Fathers and daughters need to be in community with each other. The fact that you can’t touch your child [in prison], it’s inhumane.”
Backstage with the filmmakers and film subjects of ‘Daughters’
I asked Angela to share some of her impressions as a first-time film director at this premiere film festival. In addition to the Sundance screenings where the families received five standing ovations, Angela said that a significant highlight for her was a screening that Sundance sponsored at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
She writes:
“This was more than a film showing; it was a moment of deep connection and powerful feedback from incarcerated individuals, both fathers and non-fathers, who found resonance in our message.
The men’s reactions to Daughters were eye-opening. They spoke candidly about their healing process, regrets, and accountability, highlighting how a program like ‘Date with Dad’ is integral to their journey. Their immediate recognition of the program’s impact and their advocacy for its implementation in prisons nationwide was a confirmation that our message needed wider spread.
Incarceration doesn’t just impact the individual; it reverberates through families and communities. Our discussion at the facility wasn’t just about pain; it was about solutions. The men offered ideas and resources, recognizing the potential benefits of the “Date With Dad” program for themselves, their families, and the facility staff.
The experience at the Utah State Correctional Facility was a poignant reminder of our mission and the far-reaching impact of our work, extending beyond the glitz of film festivals. It reinforced the importance of storytelling as a tool for understanding, empathy, and social change.
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I am more committed than ever to our mission of advocating for change and giving a voice to those often unheard. The road ahead is filled with potential, and I am excited to see how Daughters and our continued efforts can contribute to a more empathetic and connected society.
Winning the awards brought a surreal feeling. It was a public acknowledgment that our film resonated with the audience and that the message we were trying to convey was not just heard but felt. These awards are a testament to the power of storytelling and its ability to connect, heal, and inspire change.
The bold and inspiring journey continues. With the support and recognition I received, I am more committed than ever to advancing the stories of Black girls through my work. The awards are not just trophies; they are beacons of hope and a reminder that storytelling can truly make a difference in people’s hearts, minds, and behaviors.
Thank you, Sundance, and to everyone who has been a part of this incredible journey. The ride continues, and I am more committed than ever to the work ahead.”
You can read more of Angela’s reflections on the Daughters Sundance premiere at my blog here. I am so grateful that she shared her reflections with me and our community.
And I hope you will seek out Daughters when it comes to a screen near you!
Onward!
- Pat
