ABOUT THE PROJECT
LOGLINE
Students in a South Carolina coastal town collide with the book-banning frenzy in the U.S. when 97 books are banned from their school libraries. The students become national anti-censorship activists.
SYNOPSIS
In October 2022, two residents in Beaufort County, SC, ignored the book-challenge protocols in public schools, threatening to bring pornography charges against the local School Board unless it immediately removed 97 books from school libraries. Many of the titles were authored by or contain characters who identify as LGBTQIA+ or BIPOC.
All 97 books were immediately removed from school library shelves.
Between July 2021 and June 2023, there were 5,894 book bans in 247 public school districts in 41 states in the U.S, affecting millions of students. These bans have been largely driven by the ultra-conservative group Moms for Liberty, encouraging citizens to challenge 100+ books at a time (even without reading them).
High school students in Beaufort—members of DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization)—started fighting back, led by seniors Isabella Troy, who is biracial; Elizabeth Foster, the sister of a transgender boy; and Millie Bennett, who identifies as queer.
BANNED TOGETHER chronicles this youth-led resistance, delving into the struggle against book-banning playing out across the US. In addition to local Beaufort footage (school board meetings and state legislative sessions), the film includes interviews with politicians (including Congressman Jamie Raskin); Constitutional experts; bestselling authors (Jodi Picoult, Juno Dawson, Erika Sánchez, and others); librarians from the House Oversight hearing on book bans and academic censorship; and representatives from The American Library Association, PEN America, and the American Federation of Teachers.
BANNED TOGETHER explores the roots of the censorship movement to reveal its dire consequences for public education and Americans' First Amendment rights. As this story unfolds in real-time, it celebrates the courage and persistence of these next-generation activists who believe in the First Amendment and are willing to stand up for it.
BANNED TOGETHER also serves as a clarion call to join the fight against book banning across America.
PROJECT TYPE Documentary Feature
DIRECTOR Kate Way
PRODUCER Jenn Wiggin, Tom Wiggin, Allyson Rice
WEBSITE 97documentary.com
The Film Collaborative (TFC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing programs and services for independent filmmakers. TFC’s federal tax ID number is 32-0295081. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Support a TFC Fiscal Sponsorship Project
Please help support this project with a tax deductible contribution. The “donate” button below will take you to PayPal, but a PayPal account is not required to make a donation. You can check out 2 ways:
- Use your PayPal account
- Check out as a guest by selecting “Donate with a Debit or Credit Card” (no PayPal account is required)
Transaction Fee
Please consider covering the PayPal transaction fee by selecting the “I’d like to add to my donation to help offset the cost of processing” box on the next page. This will ensure your intended full donation amount will be received for the project.
Alternate Donation Payment Methods
If you prefer to donate by check, Zelle, ACH, or wire transfer, please email us for instructions.
Stock Donations
TFC accepts stock donations. By donating stock that has appreciated for more than a year, you are giving 20% more than if you sold the stock and then made a cash donation, since you will not pay capital gains taxes on the donated stock. Learn more here.
Please email us for instructions to donate stock to a fiscally sponsored project.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Donations
A donor-advised fund, or DAF, is like a charitable investment account for the sole purpose of supporting charitable organizations. TFC accepts DAF donations and is on file with most major DAF companies. Provide your DAF TFC’s Tax ID: 32-0295081. If we are already on file with your DAF company, they will process the donation.
If TFC is not already on file with your DAF company, please email us for instructions.
Tax Receipts
In compliance with IRS rules, tax receipts for your charitable gift are issued for the amount The Film Collaborative receives after payment processor fees are deducted. The Film Collaborative emails tax receipts in PDF format within 30 days of your online donation. The “receipt” that is immediately sent to you from PayPal after you donate is just a payment receipt, not the tax receipt.
Matching Donations
Many companies have matching gift programs and can help you double your donation to a project of your choosing. Sometimes these programs will match a donation up to a year after it was originally made! Check with your employer—if they have a matching gift program, they will provide you with instructions.
End of Year Giving
November, December, and January are big giving months each year. Donors top up their annual giving in November and December. January is a new fiscal year, and some donors start their giving for the next fiscal year early. Some donors even give at the end of the year and again in January since these donations fall into different fiscal years.
Donors tend to make their large year-end donation decisions before the holidays start. In 2024, that means before December 20. TFC can accept donations by wire, ACH, and Zelle until 5:00pm Eastern Time on December 31. Online donations by credit or debit card can be made until 11:59pm Pacific Time on December 31.