The Right To Read

A film by Jenny Mackenzie

When a child can’t read, their chances of incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment increase. That’s why Oakland-based NAACP activist Kareem Weaver believes literacy is one of the greatest civil rights issues of our time and is fighting for better reading instruction. “What good is winning the right to vote if we can’t even read the ballot?” Fed up with the bleak reading scores in his own community, Kareem files a petition with the Oakland Unified School District demanding change.

Watch trailer
Licensing Options
Book a speaker

Director

Jenny Mackenzie

Producer

Sabi Habib-Lowder, Kareem Jabbar Weaver, Jenny Mackenzie

Runtime

80 minutes

Rights Represented

Educational Rights

Captions Available

English

Language

English

Licensing Options
Watch trailer

Festival & Awards

Official Selection – Santa Barbara FF

Official Selection – SXSW Edu

Related Films

Butterfly In The Sky

If you’re a reader for life, then you’re a learner for life.

Licensing Options

Butterfly In The Sky

Chasing Childhood

All work and no play is no way for kids to grow up.

Licensing Options

Chasing Childhood

Resilience

The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope

Licensing Options

Resilience

Race to Nowhere

Transforming education from the ground up

Licensing Options

Race to Nowhere

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 [email protected].

Unsure what you need?
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 [email protected].
  • DVD for classroom use: This is a DVD with permission to share in a classroom only
  • Custom and secure link and code to provide to event participants during designated screening period.
  • 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 if needed but if you already have a date in mind, it will help expedite the process. Please note it takes 1 week to get your screening set up.

Your Selection
The Right To Read

The greatest civil rights issue of our time

Cost $0.00