The San Quentin Film Festival — which, last year, became the first-ever film festival held inside of a prison — has set the industry jury for its second annual event, including Vanessa Williams, Esai Morales, Jesse Williams, Celine Song and more.
These jurors will judge narrative and documentary short films from currently and formerly incarcerated filmmakers as well the pitch competitions for best screenplay and best documentary from currently incarcerated writers.
This year’s jury also features two formerly incarcerated people: actor and writer Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, who starred in 2024’s “Sing Sing,” as well as actor, author and poet Richard Cabral, best known for “Mayans M.C.” and “American Crime.”
Other notable jurors include Kyra Sedgwick and Claudia Weill. Last year’s industry jury included Jeffrey Wright, Billy Crudup, Mary-Louise Parker and more.
Separately during the festival, a jury of people who are currently incarcerated at the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center will judge feature films made about criminal justice. The feature competition is open to all filmmakers.
See the full list of jurors below.
Gbenga Akinnagbe, actor and writer (“The Wire,” “The Deuce”)
Nnamdi Asomugha, actor and producer (“Sylvie’s Love,” “Crown Heights”)
Richard Cabral, formerly incarcerated actor, author and poet (“Mayans M.C.”, “American Crime”)
Chad Coleman, actor (“The Walking Dead,” “Superman & Lois”)
Rachel Dretzin (“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey,” “Who Killed Malcolm X”)
Tony Gerber, director and producer (“Jane,” “War Game”)
Chester Gordon, writer and producer (“The Inspection,” “Pier Kids”)
Mark Anthony Green, director and former editor of GQ (“Opus”)
Clarence Maclin, formerly incarcerated writer and actor (“Sing Sing”)
Debra Moore Munoz, writer and producer (“Mayans M.C.,” “Westworld”)
Esai Morales (“La Bamba,” “Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning” and “Final Reckoning”)
Tia Nomore, actor and rapper (“Earth Mama”)
Christina Oh, producer (“Minari,” “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”)
Emil Pinnock, actor, director and producer (“Up North,” “Beloved”)
Isaiah Saxon, director and producer (“The Legend of Ochi”)
Kyra Sedgwick, actor and director (“The Closer,” “Story of A Girl”)
Celine Song, director and writer (“Past Lives,” “Materialists”)
Claudia Weill, actor and director of film, TV and theater (“Girlfriends,” “It’s My Turn”)
Jesse WIlliams, actor and producer (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Two Distant Strangers”)
Vanessa Williams, actor, producer and singer (“Ugly Betty,” “Eraser”)
Debra Winger, actor (“Terms of Endearment,” “An Officer and a Gentleman”)