Hidden Lives Illuminated: Film Screenings

Eastern State Penitentiary’s Hidden Lives Illuminated brings the often invisible stories of people living in prisons to light, offering a rare look inside America’s correctional system through twenty newly commissioned, animated short films created by currently incarcerated artists.

Nightly screenings will be grouped into four themed weeks: “The View from Inside,” “Criminal Justice Today,” “Family and Community Impact,” and “Restorative Justice.” Concurrent programs will feature presentations by scholars, community leaders, activists, artists, victims’ advocates, and elected officials.

The project culminates in a one-night festival during which all films will be screened, along with documentaries about the artists, which will play inside the historic site’s cellblocks.

Screenings are free and open to the public.