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Flagler College to Premiere Original Student-Produced Film A Book of Freedom: The Confessions of Francisco Menendez at St. Augustine Film Festival

St. Augustine, FL (12/19/2025) — Flagler College will debut its first-ever programmatic film, A Book of Freedom: The Confessions of Francisco Menendez, as the closing selection of the 2026 St. Augustine Film Festival. The world premiere will take place Sunday, January 11, at 4:15 p.m. in Lewis Auditorium, marking a major milestone for the College's rapidly growing Cinematic Arts major.

Over the past five semesters, more than 60 Flagler students and faculty collaborated to bring this original docudrama to life. The film tells the powerful true story of Fort Mose-the first legally sanctioned free Black settlement in what would become the United States-through the eyes of its leader, Francisco Menendez. Combining dramatic reenactments, historical research, and student-driven cinematography, A Book of Freedom reflects Flagler's commitment to immersive, hands-on filmmaking that prepares graduates for the modern creative industry.

"This project has redefined how we teach film production at Flagler," Visiting Filmmaker Jim Gilmore said. "Our students weren't just learning-they were contributing to a major historical narrative that is deeply rooted in the culture of St. Augustine. Their work represents the future of cinematic storytelling."

The film's impact is already being felt beyond campus. Several participating students have turned their experience into professional opportunities, including recent graduate Madison Torres, who secured a full-time position immediately after commencement based on her work as a cinematographer on the project.

"Working on A Book of Freedom gave our students real-world production experience-creative ideation, on-location filming, technical workflows, and collaboration across a full film team," Gilmore said. "It's the kind of resume-building project that sets them apart."

Flagler faculty and students-including alumni who worked on the film-are available for interviews beginning the week of January 5, 2026. They are able to speak with print, radio, or television outlets in person, on campus, or via Zoom.

The College will be cross-promoting the film in partnership with the St. Augustine Film Festival, whose Executive Director Greg Von Hausch and Festival Coordinator Bonnie Adams have been integral to supporting the project's premiere.

World Premiere Details

Film: A Book of Freedom: The Confessions of Francisco MenendezEvent: St. Augustine Film Festival - Closing FilmDate: Sunday, January 11, 2026Time: 4:15 p.m.Location: Lewis Auditorium at Flagler CollegeTickets: Available through the St. Augustine Film Festival website

About the Cinematic Arts Program at Flagler College

Flagler's Cinematic Arts major is a hands-on, production-centered program that blends film history, storytelling, and cutting-edge technology. Students learn through experiential projects and collaborative filmmaking, preparing them for careers in production, post-production, directing, cinematography, and emerging media fields.

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