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

ALL I AM, I OWE. I LIVE

ETERNALLY IN THE RED

- Black firefighters' motto

SCREENINGS IN 2025

“My organization and I applaud you and your cohorts for the undertaking of this magnificent film. It is very real and true of what we, as African American firefighters, have faced for years in our communities to become firefighters. Our attempt to tell our story has fallen on deaf ears. The struggles our young men and women face are all too real in America today. Their story can be told thousands of times in every urban setting across this country.”

— JAMES F. HILL II, PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, WASHINGTON D.C.

“Bay EMT and its supporters are hoping the film will show jurisdictions around the country what is possible when young people caught up in the justice system are given opportunity, resources and support.”

— The Chronicle for Social Change

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

BE A PART OF CHANGE

IN THE RED showcases BAY EMT’s mission to change the lives of young men and women:
a stellar example of the power of mentorship, training and unwavering care.
Twelve years after initial filming, the feature-length documentary
is scheduled for release in 2025. All proceeds of the
film will go toward BAY EMT’s programs.

DONATE TO BAY EMT

OUR TEAM FOR THIS PROJECT

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MIMI CHAKAROVA

Director, Producer, DP

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JOSEPH STUBBS

Narrator

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AISHA KNOWLES

Impact Producer

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LYDIA CHÁVEZ

STEPHEN TALBOT

Senior Project Advisers

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GAVIN TEMPLETON

Composer & Music Supervisor

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LOLA NOGUER

Illustrator

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JULIAS CANADA

Field Producer

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SEDELLA JEFFERSON

JODI RAVEL

TANIR AMI

Executive Producers

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