TMZ.com
W. Kamau Bell he applauds the filmmakers who participated in the first major film festival held at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center… revealing that there is emerging talent within the facility’s walls.
We caught up with the comedian and TV host on TMZ Live on Wednesday, where he shared some insight into how the star-studded festival came to be … and teased what could be in store for participating inmates.
As Bell said, the festival came about after WKB visited California’s oldest prison, formerly known as San Quentin State Prison, for an episode of United Shades of America, where he met the writer and former inmate. Rahsaan Thomas … who went on to co-found the festival after staying in touch.
According to Bell, there are many artists who come and volunteer with the inmates…that’s how they’ve been “trained by great filmmakers” to take on their own projects.
However, because they can’t hire outside actors, Bell noted that many of the incarcerated participants make documentaries about their time at San Quentin…but not the typical prison docs you see on TV.
He added… “Remember that there are percentage-wise more black men in therapy at San Quentin than there are black men in therapy outside. So, these are very self-developed sensitive people who are intelligent and hardworking. “.
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The festival took place last week and saw notable celebrities including Kerry Washington and comedian Jerry Seinfeld.
Some of the films will reportedly be available for viewing in the near future.
