Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your support of the Moving Picture Institute (MPI). Your belief in our mission to develop pro-liberty filmmakers and create films that entertain, inspire, and educate audiences about the ideals of freedom is what makes our work possible.

This season, we’d like to share some wonderful news. Two recent MPI Original short films developed through our Rising Filmmaker Program are now available on CiVL, a free streaming platform. 

A Clean Slate, directed by MPI filmmaker Trần Hoàng Calvin and developed in MPI’s Documentary Storytelling Workshop, explores the inspiring work of Shanyeill McCloud and Clean Slate Milwaukee, a nonprofit that helps nonviolent, formerly incarcerated individuals expunge their records and productively reenter society. The film has sparked vital conversations about second chances and innovative bipartisan solutions, earning accolades at 22 festivals, including Best Documentary Short at the Red Rock Film Festival.

Infraction, created through MPI’s Short Film Lab and written and directed by MPI filmmaker Timothy Blackwood, tells the powerful true story of Terrance Lewis, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 21 years. This dramatic short highlights his resilience and determination as he navigates life behind bars and ultimately forms an unlikely, life-changing friendship with a correctional officer. Infraction has claimed over twenty awards in festivals including Best Story Line in Boston, Best Actor in Richmond, and the Audience Award in Naples, just to name a few.

As the holiday season begins, we hope you enjoy this special time with your loved ones. Looking for more meaningful films to share with family and friends? Visit theMPI.org/watch to explore our collection of MPI Original films now streaming and enjoy inspiring stories together.