CIRCLES (82 min.) screens at Cinequest Film Festival at Hammer Theatre SJ, in San Jose, California. CIRCLES’ director, Cassidy Friedman, and main character, Eric Butler, will be present for a Q&A and discussion of the film.

Tickets available here

An inspirational teacher finds his son beaten in jail. Eric Butler, a Hurricane Katrina survivor, settled in Oakland, California where he counseled vulnerable Black and Latino teenagers and facilitated grief circles to overcome the effects of homicide and violence in area schools. Butler nurtures troubled youth and works to keep them in school. The film reaches a critical juncture when Eric's son is arrested and beaten in jail. Eric begins to question his methods and his ability to function as a father. In dramatic fashion, this inspirational teacher strives to provide a fair and compassionate life for future generations. - Pratibha Kelapure

Preceded by the short film: Little River Run; Director: Ed Skrein; Length: 12 min; Country: United Kingdom