Community Voice Lab Fellows Amin El Siwi and Phil Bouknight’s film, East of the River, is set to premiere on March 5th, 2023, at the DC Independent Film Festival. East of the River begins with the tragic death of a young boy named Kelvin Mock, who died in a trash burn in the landfill that preceded Kenilworth Park in East Washington, DC, in the late sixties. The film focuses on the stories of residents and activists affected by the event and the landfill. 

“Working with the participants of this film gave us new insight into issues of environmental justice and a new appreciation for the people who have fought to keep this history from being forgotten,” remarked co-director Amin El Siwi on the film’s production. 

Co-director Phil Bouknight elaborates, saying, “Our hope for this film is that it will empower community members to continue in their fight against forces of social injustice and highlight the work that these activists do.”  

The film was made possible by a grant from the DC Humanities Truck in conjunction with SOC's Jeffrey Madison and Community Voice Lab. Watch trailer