JUVIES Film Screening and Discussion

Date and Time

• Friday, Sep 25, 2026  7pm - 9pm

Location

visit website

Details

JUVIES, the Award Winning Documentary to Spark Community Dialogue on Youth, Justice, and Second Chances

The Indie short Film Festival presents the award-winning feature documentary film, JUVIES. Executive produced by Mark Wahlberg, featuring poetry narration by Mos Def, and directed by Leslie Neal, the film will be screened on Friday, September 25, at 7:00 p.m. at Vinegar Hill Theatre, 220 W. Market Street, Downtown Charlottesville, Virginia

The Indie short Film Festival has teamed up with sponsoring partners, The Legal Aid Justice Center, John and Kate Byrne, The Little-Goodloe Family and supported by the Richmond based organization, PATH Reentry, Elsie & Mac Thompson, and Jim McVay and other community members to bring an evening which will extend beyond a traditional film screening with a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring juvenile justice advocates and judicial professionals. Joining the post film discussion are: Amy Walters, Attorney at the Legal Aid Justice Center –– Andrea Edmunds and Anthony Gomez, founders of the PATH Reentry Program, and Joe Platania, Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney.

“JUVIES” follows the lives of 12 incarcerated teenagers who, despite their youth, were tried and sentenced as adults. Through intimate interviews and unprecedented access, the documentary explores the circumstances that led them into the criminal justice system while raising difficult questions about accountability, rehabilitation, and the future of juvenile justice in America.

PATH Reentry founders, Anthony Gomez and Andrea Edmunds, share a connected history that spans nearly three decades. Born and raised in the Bronx, Anthony came to Virginia at age 17 for a fresh start at life. He soon made life-altering choices, however, that landed him behind bars to face a lifetime in prison. Andrea worked for the court system as a parole officer and was tasked with writing his pre-sentence report. She couldn’t conceive this kind young man made these poor, life-altering choices, so she supported a lenient sentence. Sadly, the judge sentenced Anthony to life without parole. The conversation will examine one of the nation's most pressing yet often overlooked issues: the prosecution of juveniles as adults and its lasting impact on young people and families.

Panelist, Amy Walters from the Legal Aid Justice Center has dedicated her life’s work to advocating for youth offenders to have a fighting chance for rehabilitation through her reform efforts. Joe Platania, the Charlottesville Commonwealth Attorney, does not convict youth offenders as adults. Although we can rest assured that Charlottesville is not fighting against our youths, this is not the outlook of the rest of Virginia and definitely not throughout our nation.

Panelists will provide professional insight into the challenges facing today's youth, discuss current trends within the justice system, and explore solutions that emphasize prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation.

"This is more than a film screening—it's an opportunity for our community to come together and have an honest conversation about an issue that affects families across the country," said Ty Cooper, Founder and Festival Director of the Indie Short Film Festival. "We hope audiences leave not only informed but inspired to become part of the dialogue surrounding meaningful reform and support for our young people."

Vinegar Hill Theatre is located in the heart of downtown Charlottesville - 220 W. Market St., Doors open at 6pm, JUVIES will screen at 7pm, immediately followed by a panel discussion. Concessions will be open for this event and tickets are sold online and at the door if available. Tickets are on sale now at https://isffjuvies.eventive.org