ABOUT THE FILM

LONG SYNOPSIS

In 1983, noted author Ta-Nehisi Coates remembers learning that a 14-year old boy was murdered in the corridor of his Baltimore middle school. Revisiting the case as an adult, he learns the truth about the three innocent teenagers who were convicted and sentenced to life. After 36 years in prison, it was revealed that false testimony led to their imprisonment. WHEN A WITNESS RECANTS explores the collateral damage the handling of this case had on the community, the wrongfully accused, and the young witnesses pressured to betray them.

Director Dawn Porter

Producers Dawn Porter, Jennifer Oko, Miriam Weintraub

Executive Producers Ta-Nehisi Coates, Kenyatta Matthews, Kamilah Forbes, Jennifer Gonnerman, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez, Eli Holzman, Aaron Saidman

Co-Producer Lindsey Miller

Supervising Producers Summer Damon, Amanda Goscinski-Potvin

Line Producer Adam Goldberg

Editor Jessica Congdon

Director of Photography Bryan Gentry

Animation Dawud Anyabwile

Original Score Composed By Osei Essed

FESTIVALS
2026: Sundance (World Premiere)

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
DCP, Digital Download