When the Muscogee Nation suddenly begins censoring their free press, rogue reporter Angel Ellis fights to expose her government’s corruption in a historic battle that will have ramifications for all of Indian Country.
WATCH THE TRAILER
“AN ODE TO THE JOYS OF LOCAL REPORTING, A PORTRAIT OF A PLACE WITH ITS SHARE OF ECCENTRICS AND HEELS.”
“…AN ABSORBING, EYE-OPENING LOOK AT THE FIGHT FOR A FREE AND OPEN PRESS IN THE MUSCOGEE (CREEK) NATION…”
“BAD PRESS TELLS A TALE WE’D LOVE NEVER TO SEE PLAYED OUT AGAIN —YET WATCHING IT IS UNDENIABLY ENTERTAINING.”
SCREENING EVENTS
AND
PARTNERSHIPS
Since premiering and winning the Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression at the Sundance Film Festival, BAD PRESS has traveled to festivals, newsrooms, universities, conferences, Indigenous-owned bookstores, and independent movie theaters around the world.
Educators, policymakers, employee resource groups, professional associations, and companies are using the film to:
Inspire communities, leaders, and policymakers to support press protections.
Engage students, clients, and staff in conversation about democracy
Share stories of the Native American experience.
Mobilize young voters, especially in tribal nations.
Train professionals in journalism and film.
We’ve partnered with Harvard University, Columbia University School of Journalism, The Atlantic Festival, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Conference, University of North Texas Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, University of Idaho Oppenheimer Symposium and many more.
WE OFFER:
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Includes licensing to screen for a large audience.
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With co-directors Rebecca Landsberry-Baker & Joe Peeler, and participant Angel Ellis
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With custom-build website that contains discussion guide, questions, and bonus content.
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Documentary & Fiction Editing with director Joe Peeler
Cinematography with producer / cinematographer Tyler Graim
Journalism with participant Angel Ellis and co-director Rebecca Landsberry-Baker
The Business of Making an Award-Winning Film with co-directors Rebecca Landsberry-Baker and Joe Peeler
Meet The Directors
Rebecca Landsberry-Baker is an enrolled citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the executive director of the Native American Journalists Association. She is a recipient of the 2018 NCAIED “Native American 40 Under 40” award and was selected to the Harvard Shorenstein News Leaders Fall 2022 cohort. Landsberry-Baker made her directorial debut with the documentary feature film, BAD PRESS, which was supported by the Sundance Institute, Ford Foundation JustFilms, NBC, and the Gotham. BAD PRESS premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and received the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression.
Joe Peeler is a Sundance award-winning director and editor whose work has appeared on NETFLIX, HBO, FX, ESPN, Hulu and CBS. Joe began his career apprenticing under legendary director Peter Bogdanovich, and from there edited Lucy Walker’s documentary short THE LION’S MOUTH OPENS, which was shortlisted for the Academy Awards. Since then, Joe has edited many films including Alden Ehrenreich’s SHADOW BROTHER SUNDAY, and multiple episodes of the Netflix original series FLINT TOWN. Most recently, Joe co-directed BAD PRESS, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression.
