New Documentary Feature Shines A Light On The Radical Political Forces Vying To Censor America
Another Must Watch Film at Defense of Democracy Fest
A new documentary feature by Directors Kate Way and Tom Wiggin shines a light on the radical political forces who are vying for control of public education and the nationwide resistance to their efforts. Banned Together pulls back the curtain on two of the most controversial issues in America today: book bans and curriculum censorship in public schools. The documentary screens this weekend as part of Defense of Democracy Film Festival. Festival screening passes are available at the website DofD Film Festival 2025.
A diverse cast of visionary teenagers and intriguing characters, stirring public protests, private threats, criminal charges, and drama-filled school board meetings: this is the world of the explosive new feature documentary, Banned Together. Michael Moore calls the film “a sweeping contemporary history lesson and a call to action…”
Banned Together follows three teenage activists as they fight book bans in their schools, speak with national politicians, bestselling/banned authors, constitutional scholars, PEN America, and more, as the film’s scope widens to include the larger national picture.
We witness their evolution from local to national activists as they advocate at school board meetings, sit down with national politicians, famous authors and constitutional scholars, and ultimately, speak on stage at the Right to Read Rally during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Chicago.
BANNED TOGETHER – CAST
Featuring: Elizabeth Foster, Millie Bennett, Isabella Troy Brazoban, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Jodi Picoult, Ellen Hopkins, Erika L. Sanchez, Juno Dawson, Dr. Ibram X, Kendi, Deborah Caldwell-Stone, Jonathan Friedman, Alexi Giannoulias, Prof. Justin Hansford, Queen Quet, Maurice T. Cunningham, Olivia Little, Josh Malkin, Stephana Ferrell and Jennifer Jenkins.
BANNED TOGETHER – FILM CREDITS
Directors: Kate Way, Tom Wiggin, Producers: Jennifer Wiggin, Allyson Rice, Tom Wiggin, Kate Way, Executive Producers: Henrietta Heisler, Martha Bode, Marilyn Stein, Stu Nichols, Dr. Gary Seiden, Phillip Grimm, Katherine Grimm, Richard Hoeksema, Greta Sandberg, Jason Chase Tyrrell, Steve Potash, Allyson Rice, Freedom to Learn Advocates, Association Producers: GAS Group, H2 Partners, Editor: Charnelle “Cha” Quallis, Composer: Kim Bullard, Director of Photography: Dorian Del Valle, Asst. Editor: Nathan Manley, Additional Editing: Liz Maney, Sound Editor: Oren Levin, Cameras: Dorian Del Valle, Corey Connor, Blake Ellis, Mary Haverstick, Colt Morton, Kate Way, Asst. Camera/Electricians: Ally Rolan, Ryan Snow, Drone Operator: Corey Connor, Gaffer: Dorian Del Valle, Sound Mixers: Doug Tortorici, Michele Mercure, Prudence Katze, Alex Majewski, Asst. Sound Technicians: Danielle Dumas, Brandon Gault, Dinah Mack, Liz Lowry, Colorist: Meseret Haddis, Motion Graphics: Michaela Morreale, Production Assistants: Danielle Dumas, Anna Turner, Dinah Mack, Hair and Makeup: Lorna Basse, Torie Conn.
