ROCO Films

03/04/2025

A measure of the despair that life under the thumb of an oppressive regime can bring, Madeline Gavin’s ‘BeyondUtopia” looks at the lengths people will go to gain their freedom.

SOME PLACES ONLY COURAGE CAN TAKE YOU   A suspenseful, riveting portrait of the lengths people will go to gain freedom, Beyond Utopia follows various individuals as they attempt to [...]

03/03/2025

We’re’re excited about today’s panel discussion on the power of film in the classroom. To illustrate, we’ll be spotlighting five documentaries from the ROCO films collection that are especially useful teaching tools: We think you’ll enjoy, ‘Floyd Abrams: SpeakingFreely,’ ‘The Right to Read,’ ‘Resilience,’’Kiss the Ground,’ :and ‘The Disruptors.’ See you there.

03/02/2025

ROCO films is hosting a panel discussion on a topic of interest to both filmmakers and educators, and you’re invited.
Moderated by ROCO’s Nicole Askeland, the panel features a slate of experts on The Power of Film in the Classroom & Teacher Training. Check our poster for details and we’ll see you there tomorrow afternoon.

03/01/2025

ROCO Films is coming to SXSW and you’re invited to join us for a panel discussion you wont want to miss.

02/28/2025

An unacceptable 48% of individuals living behind bars are afflicted with dyslexia, a learning difference that makes it difficult or impossible to identify letters and learn to read. “Left Behind” follows a group of passionate mothers who unite to create a public dyslexia school in New York City and give their children the tools to learn their ABCs and grow up to live productive lives.

Left Behind tells the powerful story of a group of passionate mothers who unite to create the first public dyslexic school in New York City, the largest school district in [...]

02/26/2025

An overnight success in his 60’s, “Charles Bradley: Soul of America” charts the life of an American soul singer whose voice embodies all that America promises and all that it withholds. singerhttps://rocofilms.com/films/charles-bradley-soul-of-america/

Charting the incredible late-in-life rise of aspiring soul singer Charles Bradley's triumph over an impossible dream 48 years in the making.

02/25/2025

No celebration of Black History Month could be complete without Melissa Haizlip‘s documentary on the brilliant creation of “Mr Soul.” For five years, from 1968 to 1973, Ellis Haizlip’s television variety show introduced his TV audiences to the cream ofAmerica’s thriving black culture. Sit back now and enjoy the likes of Belafonte, Baldwin, Earth,Wind and Fire, and many, many more.

A critical moment in culture whose impact continues to resonate, and an unsung hero whose voice we need now more than ever.

02/24/2025

February is Black History Month, and we are proud to wrap the celebration with a week of documentaries beginning with Jeffery Robinson’s “Who We Are,” a chronicle of racism in the land of the free.

A Chronicle of Racism in America Jeffery Robinson had one of the best educations in America. He went to Marquette University and Harvard Law School and has been a trial [...]

02/21/2025

A film by David Sien, “Bad Axe” chronicles the struggles of a close knit Asian-American family living in Trump’s rural Michigan. As they fight to keep their local restaurant and the American dream alive, they face the challenges of COVID-19, white supremacy, and the intergenerational trauma of the Cambodian killing fields they left behind.

A real-time portrait of 2020 unfolds as an Asian-American family in Trump’s rural America fights to keep their restaurant and American dream alive BAD AXE captures a real-time portrait of [...]

02/20/2025

Directed by Sharon Shattuck, “Picture a Scientist” exposes the shameful, longstanding discrimination and harassment of women in all areas of science, and the gifted women who are fighting back and making a difference.

Equal parts insightful and inspiring, this film will illuminate both the hard data and the very human stories of women in science.

02/19/2025

Directed by Meg McLagan and Doria Sommer, “Lioness” follows five women ordered into combat in Iraq. Serving with distinction, they are a testament to the value of women in the military.

The untold story of the first group of women in U.S. history to be sent into direct ground combat, in violation of official policy.

02/18/2025

Seeking greater diversity in the space shuttle program, NASA started to recruit women in 1977. Jump almost fifty years later to 2025, with “Spacewoman,” Hannah Barryman’s inspiring documentary about Astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to command and pilot a spacecraft.

Astronaut Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot and command a spacecraft. Born on the other side of the tracks in upstate New York, she smashed many glass ceilings [...]

02/17/2025

The new Secretary of Health and Human Services, RFKJr. is an outspoken anti -vaxxer. Produced by Neal DeGrasse Tyson, “A Shot in the Arm” is a timely argument against the ignorance and lies that caused parents to turn their backs on the life saving vaccines that could have saved their children, and might still save many more.

In the spring of 2019, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Scott Hamilton Kennedy began investigating a global measles epidemic. He filmed with both top public health officials working to halt the epidemic [...]

02/11/2025

An extraordinary 90% of women polled say they often see themselves as disgusting and ‘’less than”, and they blame the fashion and media industries. Directed by Jenny McQualie, “Straight/Curve: Redefining Body Image” examines the industries responsible for our skewed notions of beauty, and the organizations working toward a more realistic view.

Examines the industries responsible for this body image crisis and showcases the leaders fighting for more diversity of size, race and age.

02/10/2025

We’re delighted to introduce,“Your Fat Friend.” Directed by Jeanie Finley, our latest addition is a film about fatness, family, the complexities of change, and the deep, messy feelings we have about our bodies.

Made over 6 years, director Jeanie Finlay charts the rise of writer and activist Aubrey Gordon from anonymous blogger to NYTimes best selling author and beloved podcaster. Her aim? A [...]

02/05/2025

Following the president’s directive to abolish diversity, equity, and inclusion programs (DEI), the new Secretary of Defense has ordered an end to the military’s official observation of Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Directed by Sam Pollard, ‘MFK/FBI’ explores the government’s past harassment and surveillance of Dr.King, the civil rights leader who lead the fight for equal rights.

Based on recently declassified files, Sam Pollard explores the US government's surveillance and harassment of Martin Luther King, Jr.

02/04/2025

From Kartemquin Films, (Hoop Dreams,) “The New Americans” mini-series follows the inspiring struggle of immigrants and refugees as they work to build new lives in their adopted country.

The New Americans is the much-anticipated miniseries from the creators of Hoop Dreams and Stevie. The documentary series illuminates the search for the American Dream through the eyes of today's immigrants and refugees.

02/03/2025

In 2015, just ten years ago, the SCOTUS affirmed the Constitutional right of same s*x couples to marry. Directed by Eddie Rosenstein, “The Freedom to Marry” follows the often tortuous path to the decision that decided one of the most consequential legal issues of our time.

THE FREEDOM TO MARRY is a nail—biting, behind—the—scenes story that traces the marriage equality movement's historic progress