
Screenings
At 15, he took a life. Three days later, his brother’s life was taken. A documentary visual album, Songs From the Hole follows James “JJ ’88” Jacobs through a musical opus of hip hop and soul, inspired by his innermost struggles as a person who has both committed and experienced violent harm, as he serves a double-life prison sentence. The film interweaves the collective storytelling of its nonfiction participants with imagined representations of memories, dreams and spiritual dialogues set to its protagonist/co-creator’s original music.
All Access pass holders receive complimentary entry with their pass. Please arrive at the theatre at least 15 minutes before showtime to secure your seat.
Directors Spotlight

Contessa Gayles
Director
Contessa Gayles is an award-winning film director, writer, DP, editor and an Emmy-nominated producer. She tells stories about community, coming-of-age, Black liberation and the radical imagination.
- Runtime 106 minutes
- Country United States
- Language English
- Director Contessa Gayles
- Cast James “JJ’88” Jacobs, Victor Benjamin, William Jacobs Jr., Janine Jacobs, Reneasha Jacobs, Jacqueline Williams, Naaji Pruitt, Lauren “Indigo Mateo” Jacobs
- Cinematographer Michelle Kwong, Contessa Gayles
- Editor Contessa Gayles, Rafe Scobey-Thal, Princess A. Hairston
- Executive Producer Jenny Raskin, Lauren Haber, Geralyn White Dreyfous, Regina K. Scully, Meadow Fund, dream hampton
- Producer Contessa Gayles, richie reseda, David Felix Sutcliffe
- Screenwriter James “JJ’88” Jacobs, Contessa Gayles
- Animator Javier Francisco Pretelt, Wilma Miranda
- Co Producer James “JJ’88” Jacobs
- Music richie reseda, Tairiq Bright, Garfield Bright, James “JJ’88” Jacobs
- Premiere East Coast