FreedomFest 2025

Civil Asset Forfeiture allows law enforcement agents at all levels of government to seize property they suspect was used in or resulted from a crime without proof or due process of law. Victims of CAF must prove the innocence of their property at their own expense, flipping the American legal principle of innocent until proven guilty on its head. This feature documentary brings this corruption into the sunlight of public discourse through the stories of the heroes trying to end it.

Nearly one third of all countries have some form of laws that stifle a woman’s access to work. They limit access to bank accounts, property inheritance, and many types of jobs. These countries have some of the highest poverty rates in the world. “She Rises Up” chronicles the remarkable journeys of three women who are helping to lift their communities out of poverty by fighting the odds to maintain their local businesses. Gladys Yupanqui of Peru founded a mini-market. Magatte Wade of Senegal is building a cosmetics manufacturing company. Selyna Peiris of Sri Lanka is expanding the textile company founded by her mother. “She Rises Up” reveals the role entrepreneurs and small businesses can play in women gaining financial independence, and ultimately reducing poverty for all.

In the lush woods of New York State’s Catskill Mountains, an almost mythical memory lives on. Of a time when men — armed with rifles and pitchforks, disguised in spooky masks and gowns — descended from bucolic hills to stage the Anti-Rent War, or “Second American Revolution,” as they called it, to challenge the unbridled power of the patroons. That farmers’ uprising almost 200 years ago changed the course of American history, ushering in land reform, reaffirming property rights and paving the way to the creation of Abraham Lincoln’s Republican Party. Today, although largely forgotten, the historic uprising lives on through direct descendants of those rebellious farmers, through their stories, songs, and eerie costumes preserved since the 1840s. CALICO REBELLION is a cinematic journey into small town America, its idealism and the violence that percolates just beneath the surface. The film explores themes of land, belonging, and historical identity of the people who continue to shape the political landscape of the country. Q&A with Nick Gillespie.

“Dirty Coin” explores the complex world of Bitcoin mining, challenging widespread beliefs about its environmental impact. The documentary delves into how Bitcoin mining can be part of a free-market solution to global energy issues, reshaping our understanding of sustainable energy. Through a mix of in-depth interviews, on-site footage, and expert perspectives, Dirty Coin reveals the innovations and unexpected opportunities that Bitcoin mining offers in the push for energy resilience. It’s a story that goes beyond the headlines, questioning assumptions and highlighting Bitcoin’s potential role in a sustainable future.

This powerful testimonial shares Jonny McCoy’s life-changing experience with injustice. Once a successful insurance lawyer who trusted the legal system, Jonny’s worldview shattered when he was wrongfully arrested for simply asking police officers a question. His brief, but uniquely traumatic experience in jail continues to haunt him to this day. Despite eventual exoneration, Jonny received no apology, and those responsible faced no consequences. His story illustrates how government authority can violate the principle of “Human Respect.” Jonny has since dedicated his life to helping others who suffer from similar trauma and those who struggle with addiction through his mental health app White Flag, Jonny advocates for applying Human Respect in all areas of life, including law enforcement and governance.