Who Is James Meredith?

This short documentary is about the storied life of James Meredith who in 1962 influenced President John Kennedy to involve the federal government to insure his enrollment as the first black student at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Four years later, Meredith survived several shotgun injuries when he was ambushed while on his one man "Meredith March Against Fear" from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Unlike in more formal interview settings, this film captures Meredith in casual conversations with his siblings, a family friend, grandchildren of former U.S. Attorney General, Robert Kennedy and French journalists about his experiences and reasons behind his lone war against white supremacy in the 1960's. The film is narrated by his wife Dr. Judy Meredith.

  • Dr. Judy Meredith
    Director
  • Same as Director
    Writer
  • Dr. Judy Meredith
    Producer
  • Abigail Flanders
    Producer
  • James Meredith
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Television
  • Runtime:
    29 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 2, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    1,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Fort Worth Indi Film Showcase
    Fort Worth, TX
    United States
    July 27, 2019
    Director's Choice
  • southern States Indi FanFilm Fest Winner
    Biloxi
    United States
    November 16, 2019
    Atman Diversity Award
  • Fort Worth Indi Film Showcase
    Fort Worth, TX
    United States
    May 31, 2019
    Official Selection
  • The Impact Docs Awards
    La Jolla, CA
    United States
    June 6, 2019
    Award of Recognition
  • The Impact Docs Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 1, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles (ONLINE)
    United States
    April 27, 2019
    ONLINE Screening
    Official Selection
  • BronzeLens Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    June 24, 2019
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Dr. Judy Meredith

BIO
Judy Alsobrooks Meredith, PhD

A former TV and radio news reporter and anchor in Jackson, MS and Cincinnati, OH, Dr. Judy Alsobrooks Meredith is a retired college Mass Communications professor.

A PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Mississippi State University, her interests include women’s issues in the U.S. and internationally. Her doctoral dissertation, THE GLASS CEILING: AN ANALYSIS OF WOMEN IN ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE DEEP SOUTH, was published in 2011. Dr. Meredith is a former Fulbright Scholar in Germany and has traveled extensively, both professionally and as a visitor, seeking knowledge about cultural, religious and ethnic diversity and the coexistence of various groups. The daughter of a piano instructor, she is also a talented classical pianist.

A Gary, IN native, Dr. Meredith now lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband, civil rights icon, James Meredith. They have a blended family of five children and 11 grandchildren.

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Director Statement

I have found that vital history of black people who risked their lives during the tumultuous Civil Rights Era is not being effectively passed down to younger generations. Two of those amazing events center around my husband, James Meredith. My goal in making this short documentary is to portray James as an agent of change who proved that just one person can make a difference for the betterment of society. As a result of his integration of The University of Mississippi in 1962, people of all races and ethnicities from across the world attend not only Ole Miss, but every traditionally all-white Mississippi university. Also, because of his March Against Fear in 1966, there is now unquestioned freedom for all citizens to vote without fearing reprisal. To ensure educating our younger generations about my husband's courageous contributions, I want to answer the question, "Who Is James Meredith?" with this film.