A still from the documentary “Democracy Under Siege.”
True North Action Alliance Boston presents ‘Good Trouble Film Series’
A new film series, organized by True North Action Alliance Boston, is featuring three documentaries about social activism with free showings in the city. Called the Good Trouble Film Series, True North Action Alliance is showing movies that “focus on voting rights, civic participation and community resilience.”
Each film will be followed by a panel discussion, which invites audience participation. All screenings are open to the public. Seating is limited and you can reserve on True North Action Alliance’s website in advance.
First up is “Lightworkers” on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Rabb Hall in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square from 5 to 8 p.m. Directed by Bobby Roth, now in his fifth decade as a prominent filmmaker, the movie started with Roth’s inquiry to Americans: “‘What can we do?’ in the face of democracy’s takeover by a powerful few.”
The film includes responses to the question by Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin; former Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger; David Hogg, gun control activist and survivor of the 2018 high school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida; musician and activist Tom Morello; and artist and activist Shepard Fairey. Roth will virtually join local panelists Rebecca Riccio, founder of Boston Trainers Collective; and Peyton Fleming, a member of the steering committee of the De-ICE Citizens Bank Coalition, after the showing for a discussion.
“Ordinary people may wonder:
‘What can we do?’ And they may not know where to start. Here’s a way to find a starting point,” Tracey Spruce, co-founder of True North Action Alliance, told the Banner.
Spruce said Kirstin Hoffman, fellow co-founder of True North Action Alliance, helped curate the films in the series. “Kirsten knew of two of the movies that we’re showing.”
Next in the series is “Democracy Under Siege,” which shows on Thursday, Sept. 10, at the same venue and time as the prior film. Directed by Oscar- and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Laura Nix, the documentary features the art of Ann Telnaes, the former Washington Post cartoonist. Telnaes resigned from that newspaper after its editorial board rejected her drawing of billionaires kneeling before Donald Trump. The film was made for European television in 2024 and won the RIAS Berlin Commission for outstanding journalism. Nix will virtually join Jerren Chang, president and CEO of Partners in Democracy, in a panel discussion after the showing.
The final film is “Minnesota Neighbors: Not in Our Town,” directed by Patrice O’Neill, founder of the Not in Our Town movement. The documentary will show at WBUR CitySpace on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The movie “shows how Twin Cities residents came together to protect their neighbors during the intense ICE enforcement campaign in winter 2025–26.”
In May, the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston honored the citizens of the Twin Cities with a Profile in Courage Award “for risking their lives to protect their neighbors and immigrant community members from an unprecedented federal law enforcement operation, peacefully defending the human rights and values that serve as the foundation of our Constitutional democracy.” O’Neill will join the post-film discussion.
The Good Trouble Film Series is cosponsored Boston Indivisible, Partners in Democracy, the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), Mass 50501, Dunk the Vote, Indivisible Hingham Hull and Activist Evenings.
For those looking to get involved further, Spruce said, “True North Action Alliance has a comprehensive website and we have two meetings a month, one in person and one virtual. We also offer one-to-one meetings and can help connect you with various actions and events.”
ON THE WEB
Learn more at mobilize.us/truenorthactionallianceboston/event/988343 and truenorthboston.org