A pardon is a legal mechanism that allows the governor of a state to wipe away a person’s criminal past. Through showcasing the stories of two people that have suffered under the weight of their criminal record, this film explains a pardon, the process it takes to be granted one in Pennsylvania and how all states in America can immediately repair the devastation caused to thousands of families and neighborhoods as a result of criminal arrests and the collateral consequences that hold them back as a result.
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Pardon Me Press
The American Bar Association - ABA names 2024 finalists for Silver Gavel Awards for Media and the Arts
“We received outstanding submissions this year and are grateful to the Gavel Awards Screening Committee for their dedicated review and difficult decisions they had to make,” said Lisa Bail, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Gavel Awards. “We are pleased to announce our finalists and extend our congratulations to the exceptional individuals and groups who produced this work.”
York Daily Record - Pardon Project of York County event focuses on 2nd chances for those with criminal records
“Last week, the Pardon Project of York County and its community partners presented a screening of the documentary "Pardon Me," followed by a panel discussion. Over 200 were at the Capitol Theatre in downtown York on Oct. 4, where "Pardon Me" director and producer Shuja Moore, a pardon recipient himself, shined a spotlight on the transformative potential of pardons….”
The Philadelphia Citizen - The Philadelphia Citizen Recommends: Pardon Me
“Shuja Moore became a filmmaker to flip the script on the kinds of stories he heard and watched growing up. In his childhood, movies like Scarface and rap music that “just celebrates criminality” were what impressed him and his friends. "‘Instead of taking it as art, we took it as directions,” he recalls. “That’s how you boss up.’”
Gannon University - “Find Your Voice” Speaker Series with Shuja Moore producer of the documentary short, “Pardon Me”
“Gannon University hosted Shuja Moore, the independent producer of the documentary, Pardon Me. He was joined by Antonio Howard of Gannon’s Pardon Hub, Dr. Parris Baker associative professor of Gannon’s social work Rob Roth a pardon applicant, and Tobey Oxholm director of the Pardon Project. Moore shared with the audience his past. He came from a good home and experienced a life-changing event that encouraged the gears to turn. He realized that everyone in his community that had the same circumstances had no money and no power…”
York Daily Record - Understand the impact of legal pardons at 'Pardon Me' film screening in York County
“The Pardon Project of York County and its community partners will present an exclusive screening of the documentary Pardon Me on Wednesday, Oct. 4.The free event will take place at the Capitol Theatre, at 50 N. George St. in York. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the film begins at 6 p.m., followed by a panel discussion moderated by York County District Attorney David Sunday. Panelists include filmmaker Shuja Moore, The Honorable William R. Carpenter, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, pardon recipients, C. Reginald “Reggie” Johnson Esq., David Bryant, and pardon fellows DaShawn Harrison and Laurie Besden.”
Lancaster Online - Smith-Wade-El hosts pardons clinic, says mistakes shouldn't hinder those who've paid their debt
“Tears began to stream down Tanedia Thomas’ face as she explained what it would mean to get her criminal record cleared through Pennsylvania’s pardons process. ‘It would mean that, at least I know that I could fill out an application and I could overlook that box. That box, it scares me,’ said Thomas, 65, who lives in the city’s southwest….”
The Hawk Newspaper - Hawk Hill screens film on pardon application The Hawk Newspaper
“Seven St. Joe’s departments sponsored a screening of “Pardon Me” in Campion Student Center’s Forum Theatre Nov. 9. The 2023 short film explores the advantages and challenges of applying for a pardon, a process that erases all records of a past crime and allows people to approach new opportunities with a clean slate. This event served as the beginning of the “Second Chances: Redeeming the Past, Reframing the Future” series, a collection of three events on the Hawk Hill campus focused on the flaws of the American criminal justice system and the realities of the lives of those impacted by it…”
WFMZ - New documentary follows people with criminal records through pardon process in Pa.
“A filmmaker and community advocate from West Philadelphia was in Reading Wednesday night to debut his new documentary. "Pardon Me" played at the Miller Center for the Arts in Reading. It is the story of people who have been incarcerated, following them through the pardon process in Pennsylvania. It makes a case for how pardons can help uplift a community like the city of Reading by allowing people with criminal records the ability to live as full citizens.”
Meadville Tribune - Short documentary film to screen Wednesday in Meadville
“ The Pardon Project of Crawford County and Crawford Clean Slate announce the local premiere of the new documentary short titled “Pardon Me” in the Meadville Public Library’s Community Room on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. The film addresses the struggles of former inmates who have paid their debt to society and now struggle to turn their lives around due to the impact of a criminal record on job, training, housing and other opportunities. It highlights the difference that a governor’s pardon can make for a deserving individual in this situation. Pardons for the right people change lives and make communities stronger by reducing recidivism, stabilizing families, and increasing economic resilience.”
