A Boy Called Josh Wins Groundbreaking Cinema Award at the 30th Annual Sacramento International Film Festival
A Boy Called Josh Wins Groundbreaking Cinema Award at the 30th Annual Sacramento International Film Festival
Sacramento, CA - A Boy Called Josh, a short documentary offering an unflinching, human-centered examination of the juvenile justice system, has been awarded Groundbreaking Cinema at the 30th Annual Sacramento International Film Festival. The honor recognizes the film’s bold storytelling, cultural relevance, and its role in advancing new narratives around accountability, rehabilitation, and youth justice reform.
Produced by award-winning filmmaker Shaun Peter Cunningham of Shot by Picto, A Boy Called Josh documents the real-life journey of Joshua Varner, a justice-involved youth whose path was reshaped through participation in ARC Uncuffed, California’s first Less Restrictive Programming (LRP) model. Rather than relying on punitive approaches, the film centers on structure, mentorship, emotional regulation, and opportunity; demonstrating what becomes possible when systems are designed to prepare young people for success rather than cycling them back into harm.
The Groundbreaking Cinema category honors films that challenge entrenched systems, disrupt dominant narratives, and introduce transformative ways of understanding complex social issues. The selection of A Boy Called Josh reflects growing recognition that traditional juvenile justice responses often fail to address developmental needs and that restorative, step-down models offer a safer and more effective alternative.
At the heart of the program portrayed in the film is Julie Hilt, Chief Executive Officer of ARC Uncuffed, whose extraordinary leadership in restorative justice best practices has been instrumental in shaping both the philosophy and daily implementation of ARC’s work. Her approach emphasizes accountability through relationship repair, structured support, and community integration; demonstrating that public safety and rehabilitation are not competing priorities, but interconnected outcomes.
“This film is not just about Josh,” said Damon L. Cooke, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of The Uncuffed Project, Inc., and Director of Community Reintegration for ARC Uncuffed. “It’s about what becomes possible when we stop defining young people by their worst moment and instead invest in their capacity to grow, heal, and lead.”
Cooke continued, “This recognition validates what we’ve known all along: that young people are capable of extraordinary growth when systems stop trying to control them and start investing in them. Julie’s leadership, combined with our team’s commitment to restorative practice, shows what’s possible when policy, programming, and human dignity are aligned.”
ARC Uncuffed’s model, operationalized through RISE-Up House and its broader LRP framework, prioritizes structured step-down transitions, life skills development, emotional regulation, mentorship, and clear accountability. Research consistently shows that these elements reduce recidivism, strengthen family and community ties, and improve long-term outcomes for justice-involved youth. A Boy Called Josh brings these principles to life, illustrating how theory, policy, and practice intersect in real human stories.
Now in its 30th year, the Sacramento International Film Festival is known for elevating films that push creative, cultural, and social boundaries. The Groundbreaking Cinema award positions A Boy Called Josh not only as a compelling documentary, but as a catalyst for broader conversations around juvenile justice reform, restorative practices, and the future of public safety.
As A Boy Called Josh continues its festival journey and public screenings, ARC Uncuffed view this moment as both recognition and responsibility: an opportunity to expand awareness, influence policy discussions, and advocate for justice systems that prioritize preparation, restoration, and long-term success over punishment.
Those Who Stood With Josh
