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Two compelling documentaries champion the right to read and the importance of library access. Banned Together, a recent award-winning feature now available on Apple+ and Amazon Prime, follows three young activists confronting book bans in Beaufort, South Carolina. Their activism inspires a broader dialogue as they extend their efforts nationally. At the same time, Free for All: The Public Library, set to premiere on PBS Independent Lens on April 29, explores the historical significance of libraries as civic institutions in the United States. Although these projects were initiated before the 2024 presidential election cycle, the issues they address resonate deeply in today’s societal landscape.
‘Banned Together’
Banned Together chronicles the journey of high school students Millie Bennett, Isabella Troy Brazoban, and Elizabeth Foster as they challenge restrictions on reading materials in Beaufort County. Emerging as advocates in 2022, they began to speak out against book bans at school board meetings after discovering that certain titles were being removed from library shelves. The documentary captures moments from local school board sessions, along with broader censorship debates occurring in states like Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Texas. It highlights a spirited public reading of censored passages in Charleston, where activists emphasize the necessity of engaging with the entirety of contested works, rather than judging them by isolated excerpts.
The idea for this project gained traction in 2023 when Jenn Wiggin, co-founder and executive producer of Atomic Focus Entertainment, stumbled upon an article detailing the student activists’ efforts. “Kate Way was already producing a short film about it,” remarked co-producer Allyson Rice, leading to a collaboration aimed at developing a feature-length documentary.
Under the direction of Way, the filmmakers facilitated interactions between the students and advocates for free expression, including renowned author Jodi Picoult and U.S. Congressman Jamie Raskin. In the film, Raskin warns that “book banning is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes,” while Picoult, whose book Nineteen Minutes is often targeted for its controversial content, points out the fear among censors that young readers might develop differing viewpoints.
The team was committed to presenting both local and national narratives, with Rice noting, “We had to intertwine the larger national issues with the personal experiences unfolding in the teens’ community.”
With a desire to release the documentary before the 2024 election, the editing process became a race against time. “Our editor usually requires nine months for a feature film, yet she managed to work swiftly,” Rice shared, reflecting on the intense push to secure necessary licenses and permissions.
Banned Together boasts strong support from organizations including the Gates Foundation and PEN America, facilitating community screenings through the American Library Association’s Unite Against Book Bans initiative. It garnered attention during Banned Books Week as part of the 2024 Awareness Festival in Los Angeles and is scheduled for screening at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival on June 17. As the film progresses, the youth activists have transitioned to college life, with Foster recently sharing her insights on her journey in Teen Vogue.
‘Free for All’
The project has been a decade in the making, with initial funding acquired in 2014 from California Humanities and significant backing from the National Endowment for the Humanities secured in 2018. Logsdon noted that as the project developed, their focus shifted from a singular urban library narrative to a broader exploration of diverse library experiences across the nation, inspiring them to pursue various state and federal grants and crowdfunding through Kickstarter, receiving nearly 1,000 individual contributions.
As the team traveled nationwide to capture the essence of libraries—from large urban centers to small-town branches—they uncovered various stories illustrating how libraries serve as vital community hubs. Notably, they discovered unarchived materials, including public service announcements featuring actor Robin Williams, enriching the documentary’s exploration. Faulknor remarked on the importance of libraries not only in preserving stories but also in narrating their own histories.
As the production neared completion, the onset of the pandemic posed challenges, with library closures limiting access to essential resources. This shift prompted the filmmakers to redirect their focus towards highlighting the library’s role as an essential institution, particularly amid funding threats. “We transitioned from exploring a singular historical narrative to examining multiple crises affecting libraries,” Logsdon explained.
With the PBS release fast approaching, they had to forgo the festival circuit. However, an opportunity arose with PBS’s Indie Lens Pop-Up program, which aimed to connect the film with local organizations for community-based screenings. The initial expectation of 30–40 screenings has exploded to over 400 public discussions, underlining the movie’s relevance.
Logsdon emphasized the importance of continuing these in-person events, noting how communal viewing enhances the experience: “Watching Free for All with others stimulates meaningful conversations about the library’s role in our communities, contrasting the solitude of home viewing.”
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