And So I Stayed

Educational Screenings for the Legal System

Learn about the impact domestic violence has on your community.


 
Formerly incarcerated survivor-advocate Kim Dadou Brown (right), who is featured in AND SO I STAYED, talks to Governor Kathy Hochul about the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.

Formerly incarcerated survivor-advocate Kim Dadou Brown (right), who is featured in AND SO I STAYED, talks to Governor Kathy Hochul about the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act.

 

“[AND SO I STAYED] examines how the courts treat women who kill their abusers. The movie played a role in one case that resulted in freedom after a conviction...The prosecutor and judge both mentioned watching the footage [from And So I Stayed] when they agreed, in March, to set her free.”  — The New York Times

“There are ways any community can come up with to help survivors. It starts with wanting to believe their experience, and how can we support them so it doesn’t get to this critical point?” — Co-director, Natalie Pattillo in The Big Bend Sentinel

 

ABOUT THE FILM

 

AND SO I STAYED is an award-winning documentary about survivors of domestic violence who are unjustly incarcerated for killing their abusers in self-defense.

 
AND SO I STAYED won both the Spirit Award and Audience Award at the 2021 Brooklyn Film Festival for best documentary feature. (from left to right) Co-director Natalie Pattillo, Kim Dadou Brown, Tanisha Davis, Michelle Horton, and Co-director Daniel A. Nelson.

AND SO I STAYED won both the Spirit Award and Audience Award at the 2021 Brooklyn Film Festival for best documentary feature. (from left to right) Co-director Natalie Pattillo, Kim Dadou Brown, Tanisha Davis, Michelle Horton, and Co-director Daniel A. Nelson.

 
 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

 

“It was truly inspiring and engaging—and a call to advocacy and action! I definitely hope that our paths cross again.” — Kamil Shields, Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell

“AND SO I STAYED provides a rare and chillingly authentic glimpse into the impossible choices some victims of domestic violence must make to simply survive, and the reality that they may only be able to obtain ‘freedom’ behind bars.  The film forces us to reckon with the inequity of Nikki’s, Tanisha’s, and Kim’s criminalization, witness and linger in their pain, and recognize that achieving justice requires education and awareness.  Thanks to Natalie and Daniel’s moving documentary, and the brave women who were willing to share their traumas, we are one step closer to that goal.” — Dara L. Sheinfeld,  Pro Bono Counsel at Davis Polk

 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT, HOST AN EDUCATIONAL SCREENING

Why should you host a screening to train judges, prosecutors, and lawyers?

By hosting a screening, you and your colleagues will explore urgent discussions with these indelible questions at the forefront: 

  • Is justice served when survivors of abuse are criminalized and incarcerated for their acts of survival?

  • What can we do to protect survivors and their children? 

In addition, the film offers those who work in the legal system:

  • Context about the generational trauma caused by domestic violence 

  • In-depth look at the reverberating effects of criminalizing survivors and how it impacts all of us

  • An education about dispelling the dangerous misconception that there is a “perfect” victim

  • Accountability in understanding the effects of patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism 

  • A call to action to support survivors in trauma-informed ways that is backed by evidence-based research 

  • An understanding about laws such as New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act

Legal teams have used AND SO I STAYED to:

  • Strengthen their justice-oriented work

  • Ignite solutions-based conversations about trauma-informed advocacy and healing justice

  • Educate their communities about criminalized survival

  • Help survivors who are directly impacted by the legal system to feel heard, seen, and believed

 
We recorded a live Q&A with the co-directors about how and why they made the film. When you host a screening, you will get access to this pre-recorded Q&A for your event!

We recorded a live Q&A with the co-directors about how and why they made the film. When you host a screening, you will get access to this pre-recorded Q&A for your event!

 

How does it work?

Tell us about yourself and the educational screening event you’d like to host using the button below.

How might a screening of AND SO I STAYED amplify the work you are already doing? Co-directors Natalie and Dan will follow-up and answer your questions!

 

What do you get?

  • Access to the film AND SO I STAYED

  • Pre-recorded Q&A with filmmakers (30 minutes)

  • A trauma-informed screening guide

  • The co-directors to speak at your educational screening or training (additional speaking and travel fees apply)