"Redemption Time" Film Screening & Community Conversation

A Film + Community Conversation on Justice, Healing, + Second Chances. Live music; Screening: Panel Discussion; Reception.

Asheville Screening of Redemption Time Invites Reflection on Justice, Healing, and Second Chances

On April 19, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Trinity United Methodist Church will host a special screening event of Redemption Time, a 70-minute performance film featuring poet Jimmy Santiago Baca and Asheville-based jazz violinist Christian Howes — artists whose lives were shaped by incarceration and who now give voice to stories of dignity, struggle, and renewal.

Directed by David Gonzalez, the film blends spoken-word poetry, live jazz, and cinematic storytelling into a powerful experience that traces journeys from trauma and incarceration toward healing, belonging, and personal freedom.

The event invites the community to reflect on themes that resonate far beyond the screen — belonging and isolation, judgment and dignity, harm and healing, and the possibility of second chances. Admission is free, with optional donations.

The program will begin with live music, followed by the film screening, a panel discussion, and a closing reception at Deep Time AVL. The reception offers attendees an opportunity to connect and reflect on the film’s themes with neighbors, artists, and community partners.

This event is part of Second Chance Month, a national campaign raising awareness about the impacts of incarceration while encouraging second-chance opportunities and community reintegration.

Community partners include Deep Time AVL, 12 Baskets Café, Asheville Poverty Initiative, the Buncombe County Re-entry Council, the UNCA Prison Education Program, and Trinity United Methodist Church.

Screening Schedule

Sunday, April 19, 2026

4:00–4:20 PM — Live Music will accompany viewings of Poetry by 12 Baskets Writers.

4:20–5:30 PM — Redemption Time Screening

5:30–6:00 PM — Panel Discussion

6–6:30 PM — Reception

Location:Trinity United Methodist Church587 Haywood RoadAsheville, NC 28806

Ticket Link (free with optional donation):https://hi.switchy.io/Redemption_Time_Asheville

Film info and trailer:https://redemptiontimeshow.com/

About the Film

Redemption Time centers on two artists who emerged from incarceration to become powerful voices for change. The film confronts injustice while lifting up human dignity, creative resilience, and personal healing. Through an intimate blend of artistic forms and storytelling, the work explores universal tensions — belonging and isolation, judgment and dignity, harm and healing — while inviting viewers to look beyond labels and consider what it means to be human, to belong, and to begin again.

“Redemption Time transcends dualities… It’s a profound invitation into the deepest truths of our shared humanity.”— Dr. Peter Candler, Author

Jimmy Santiago Baca (Poet/Subject)

Jimmy Santiago Baca is one of the most celebrated poets to emerge from the American prison system. While incarcerated, he taught himself to read and write and went on to become an internationally recognized author. He is the recipient of the American Book Award, the International Poetry Forum’s Shelley Memorial Award, and the Pushcart Prize, and his memoir A Place to Stand received the International Latino Book Award. His work has inspired readers, educators, and justice-impacted communities around the world.

Christian Howes (Violinist /Composer/Subject)

Christian Howes is widely regarded as one of the world's top Jazz violinists. He is the recipient of the Artist Teacher Award from the American String Teachers Association. A former Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music, Christian has performed internationally at the invitation of the U.S. State Department and received numerous awards as an educator and recording artist.

David Gonzalez (Director)

David Gonzalez is an award-winning storyteller, musician, and filmmaker known for his work at the intersection of theater, music, and cultural history. A Joseph Campbell Fellow and recipient of support from the National Endowment for the Arts, he has created acclaimed performance works presented by organizations including Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Kennedy Center. His storytelling recordings have also been honored by the American Library Association. Gonzalez directed Redemption Time, bringing together poetry, music, and film to explore the human journey from incarceration toward dignity and transformation.

Media Contact

Christian Howes

Producer, Redemption Time

chris@christianhowes.com(614) 332-8689

Jess Godden

Community Outreach Coordinator

Trinity United Methodist Church

trinitywavl@gmail.com828-253-5471 ext. 101

Previews of the full film available upon request by media.