A three-part animated documentary series about mass incarceration in the U.S. Through the deeply personal stories of Johnny, Lavette, and Jason, the series shows the toll that an abusive and unjust criminal system takes on individuals, families, and communities.
We partnered with the ACLU from the very start, supporting story sourcing and traveling across three states to record with the individuals featured in the series. Rather than a single cohesive visual style, we designed each film to reflect the unique experiences and perspectives of each person. The storytelling structure serves as the through line, ensuring all three films feel deeply personal while remaining interconnected.
The series debuted at a special Sundance Film Festival event in 2018, where Daveed Diggs led a conversation with all three participants. Since then, it has reached audiences around the world, earning a Tribeca X Award nomination and over a million views across online and festival platforms. The impact goes beyond the screen—the Smart Justice Campaign continues to spark critical conversations and drive real change in the fight against mass incarceration.
Director Elyse Kelly
Animation director Anna Bron
Producer Holly Stone
Executive producer Ron Diamond
Story finder/Field producer Kelly Ramundo
Editors Dan Fipphen, Elyse Kelly
Animators Anna Bron, Andrew Whyte
Original music Brooke Blair & Will Blair
Location sound mixer Corey Pointdexter
Post production sound services Studio Unknown