In the Red
In the Red
A Film About Changing Lives To Save Lives
 

ABOUT THE FILM

Eleven years in the making, IN THE RED is a feature documentary about transformation, about growing up poor in one of the wealthiest areas in the United States and getting into trouble early on. Some find their way to a free program in Oakland, California that offers a lifeline – rigorous training to become firefighters and first responders. But the streets keep calling. What makes one kid heed that call and another ignore it?   

IN THE RED – raw, intimate and at times funny – follows the lives of six young people for more than a decade. Not everyone succeeds. But for those who do, their lives are forever changed.

 

IN THE RED FEATURES MUSIC COURTESY OF

RAPHAEL SAADIQ

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

SCREENINGS IN 2025

 
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WORLD PREMIERE

The 2025 Santa Barbara International Film Festival will showcase premieres
from 60 countries with 52% of films directed by women.

IN THE RED will screen three times during the festival: 

Wednesday, February 12th at 11 AM, SBIFF Film Center / Auditorium #1
Thursday, February 13th at 3:20 PM, SBIFF Film Center / Auditorium #5
Friday, February 14th at 6 PM, Riviera Theater

 
 
 

PRESS & PHOTOS

 
 
 

EDUCATIONAL SALES

 
 

Educational and Institutional Screenings & Sales

We are fortunate to work with GOOD DOCS on educational distribution for IN THE RED. If you are interested in purchasing or streaming the film for an educational institution listed below, please visit this website for more information. You can also contact GOOD DOCS directly with any questions about buying the film: outreach@gooddocs.net

The film is available to the following institutions and organizations:

●  Universities

●  Four-Year Colleges

●  High Schools

●  Community Colleges

●  Nonprofits / Community Groups

●  For-Profits / Corporations

●  Public Libraries

 

Dexter Harris on the training ground in Oakland, CA © 2013

 

TAKE PART

IN THE RED showcases BAY EMT’s mission to change the lives of young men and women through the power of mentorship, training and unwavering care. Twelve years after initial filming, the 94-minute documentary premiered in 2025. All proceeds of the film will go toward BAY EMT’s programs.

 
 


 

ALL THAT I AM, I OWE.
I LIVE ETERNALLY
IN THE RED.

- Black Firefighters' Motto
 

 
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OUR TEAM FOR THIS PROJECT

 
 

MIMI CHAKAROVA

Director, DP & Editor

 —

JOSEPH STUBBS

Narrator



AISHA KNOWLES

Impact Producer



JULIAS CANADA

Field Producer



BRYAN GIBEL

Still Photography

GAVIN TEMPLETON

Composer & Music Supervisor



LOLA NOGUER

Illustrator



LYDIA CHÁVEZ

STEPHEN TALBOT

Senior Project Advisers



SEDELLA JEFFERSON

JODI RAVEL

TANIR AMI

Executive Producers

 

Special thanks to the CARESTAR FOUNDATION, FIELD OF VISION,
STILL I RISE FILMS
and Mark & Shannon Hart for their support.

 
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