Description:

Day One follows a group of teenage refugees from war-torn countries who are enrolled at a unique public school for refugees and immigrants-only in St. Louis, MO, where they are guided through an inspirational program of education, healing, and trauma intervention by devoted educators, some of whom have chosen to relocate to the inner city to support their students. Over the course of a year, we watch the kids progress through layers of grief and loss as they attend school, forge new friendships, and prepare to be mainstreamed into local public high schools. Their triumphs and tribulations all unfold with St. Louis as the backdrop: a rust-belt city that has taken the bold step of welcoming immigrants as a solution for their growing socio-economic problems.

Biography:

Lori Miller is a seasoned producer known for her award-winning documentaries about arts and culture: Virtuosity (PBS), Shakespeare High (Tribeca FF, Showtime), and They Came to Play (New York Times Critics Pick). Her independent feature producing credits include: Panic, The Last Supper, and Perfect Opposites. Day One is Lori Miller's directing debut. She is a graduate of Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY.