Freedom Riders (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Freedom Riders |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Stanley Nelson Jr. |
| Produced by |
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| Written by | Stanley Nelson Jr. |
| Studio | Firelight Media |
| Distributed by | International Film Circuit |
| Release date(s) | February 2010 (Santa Barbara) |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Freedom Riders is an exciting documentary film from 2010. It tells the true story of brave people called the Freedom Riders. They fought against unfair rules in America in 1961. The film was made by Firelight Media for PBS and its show American Experience.
This movie is partly based on a book by historian Raymond Arsenault. The film's director, Stanley Nelson, helped create it. It came out 50 years after the first Freedom Ride in May 1961. The film was even shown on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
In 2020, the film was chosen for the United States National Film Registry. This means the Library of Congress decided it was very important. It was picked because it is "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
What the Film is About
This film shares the amazing story of hundreds of civil rights activists. They were known as the Freedom Riders. These brave people challenged unfair rules called racial segregation. This segregation kept Black and white people separate.
The Freedom Riders traveled together on buses and trains. They were in small groups with both Black and white people. They sat wherever they wanted on the buses and trains. They also demanded equal access to restaurants and waiting rooms at bus stations. Their actions helped show the whole country how unfair segregation was in the southern United States.
Awards and Recognition
Freedom Riders has won many important awards. These awards show how much people appreciated the film's message and how well it was made.
- 2010: Official Selection, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
- 2010: Official Selection, Maryland Film Festival
- 2010: Official Selection, Silverdocs Documentary Film Festival
- 2010: Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival
- 2011: Heartland Film Festival: Best Documentary Feature
- 2011: Japan Prize: Welfare Category
- 2012: Primetime Emmy Award: Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking
- 2012: Primetime Emmy Award: Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming
- 2012: Primetime Emmy Award: Outstanding Writing for Nonfiction Programming
- 2012: Eddie Award: Best Edited Documentary
- 2012: Writers Guild of America Award: Best Documentary Screenplay: Nominated
See Also
- Civil rights movement in popular culture
- Freedom Riders National Monument
