First They Came for My College

First They Came for My College

A film by Patrick Bresman

First They Came For My College tells the inside story of the right-wing campaign to “reconquer” higher education in America. On January 6, 2023, six ultraconservatives including activist Christopher Rufo and Project 2025 architect Matthew Spalding are appointed to New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees. The beloved public honors college becomes the first in the nation transformed by political takeover, a blueprint for unprecedented censorship and interference in academia.

But conquering a school is not the same as running it. Embedded with the student newspaper, a defiant professor, and students from across the political spectrum, this verité documentary captures the community’s fierce resistance as they expose the new administration’s cruelty and incompetence, all while warning the nation: your school is next.

A microcosm of America’s culture wars, the film asks whether an institution can survive when politics comes for the classroom.

Licensing Options

Director

Patrick Bresman

Producer

Patrick Bresman, Holly Herrick, Harry William Hambury and Zackary Drucker

Runtime

105 minutes

Rights Represented

Educational

Captions Available

English

Language

English

Press

“Gripping… a cautionary tale.”

- The Guardian

“A documentary that serves as both a warning and a call to arms.”

- Cinapse (SXSW 2026)

“A compelling chronicle of the dispiriting conservative takeover of Florida’s cherished liberal arts school… offers some hope.”

- Stephen Saito, Moveable Fest
Licensing Options

Festival & Awards

Official Selection – SXSW 2026

Official Selection – San Francisco International Film Festival

World Premiere – TRUE/FALSE Film Fest

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Film Licensing

We distribute films globally but we only hold the rights in particular territories in some cases.

Letting us know what type of group you are will help us get you set up with the right type of license. If you do not fall squarely into one of these categories, select “individual” or contact us at screenings@rocofilms.com.

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Here are some basic definitions to help! Please visit our FAQs for further information.

  • In-person screening: This license includes the public performance rights required to host a screening for your group and a DVD copy of the film
  • Virtual screening: A link and code that are available for a single 72 hour period
  • Streaming subscriptions: Ongoing streaming access for an institution provided by our partner, Film Platform.  Please note it takes 3-5 business days to get your streaming access set up.  Questions about your set-up – contact setup@filmplatform.net.
  • DVD for classroom use: This is a DVD with permission to share in a classroom only
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  • Option to receive registration information.

Includes Standard Setup Plus...

  • Custom screening page with your logo and event description
  • Option to add custom video introduction
  • Ability to add custom resources and ‘Calls to Action’
  • Access to participation and attendance analytics

Don’t worry, you can always change this date if needed!  Please note it takes 1 week to get a virtual screening room or streaming license set up.

Your Selection
First They Came for My College

When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stages a coup at New College, students and professors find their campus is ground zero in a nationwide assault on academic freedom.

Cost $0.00