Learn more about films showing at the 2025 Social Justice Film Festival
RADICAL FILMS is the Social Justice Film Institute podcast featuring alumni and friends of the Social Justice Film Festival discussing all things related to social justice storytelling. The Social Justice Film podcast was created to explore and share stories about the intersection of social justice and film.
RADICAL FILMS PODCASTS hosted by John Trafton - johntrafton.com
Assistant Professor, Media Arts & Culture, Occidental College
CURRENT EPISODES - Listen here on Apple | Listen here on Spotify
Click on photos to listen.
Sweep Dreams - with filmmakers ET Russian and Ed Mast
In this episode, we speak to artist/animator E.T. Russian and playwright/performer Edward Mast and discuss their film Sweep Dreams, a 7-minute animated dream of displacement and apocalypse.
Can't Stop Change - with Yarrow Koning
In this episode, we speak to Yarrow Koning (they/them), environmental educator and multimedia storyteller, about the film, Can't Stop Change: Queer Climate Stories from the Florida Frontlines.
No Place to Grow Old - with director Davey Shaupp
In this episode, we sit down with Davey Shaupp, director of No Place to Grow Old. This film is the first documentary to capture a growing crisis unfolding quietly across America: older adults aging into homelessness. Set in Portland, Oregon, this film follows the lives of three older adults navigating the harsh realities of life without a home.
Dark and Tender - with Aaron Taylor
In this episode, we sit down with filmmaker and activist Aaron Taylor to discuss his film Dark and Tender, a film that follows ten Black men on a transformative retreat with the Chronically UnderTouched (CUT) Project outside Seattle, WA.
One Fighting Irishman - with Sharon Yamato
In this episode, we sit down with director Sharon Yamato to discuss her latest film, One Fighting Irishman, the story of lawyer Wayne Collins and his fight to save 5,500 Japanese Americans from being deported during World War II. We discuss George Takei's involvement in the film's production and the importance of telling these stories in the present day.
Kalamazoo Gals - With David Massar and John Thomas
In this episode, John sits down with director David Massar and writer/producer John Thomas to discuss Kalamazoo Gals, the story of the women who built the classic Gibson World War II banner guitars.
Gilda Sheppard - filmmaker, writer, professor, and public speaker
In this episode, we sit down for a conversation with Gilda Sheppard -- filmmaker, author, professor, and public speaker. Listen as we discuss her latest film, Since I Been Down (2020), and its impact on conversations about criminal justice reform, community rebuilding, and education.
Sam Hampton - Executive Director, Social Justice Film Institute
In this episode, we sit down with Sam Hampton, documentary filmmaker, teacher, and executive director of the Social Justice Film Institute.