First They Came for My College

Name: First They Came for My College
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2026-09-17

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When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stages a coup at New College, the state's beloved public honors college, students and professors confront a new reality: their campus is ground zero in an unprecedented nationwide assault on academic freedom and diversity.

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Ben Glidden

Film Threat

1 day ago

8/10

On her way out, a frustrated professor encourages the students to find joy in the darkness. That’s exactly what they do.

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Janet Reinschmidt

MovieJawn

6 days ago

FIRST THEY CAME FOR MY COLLEGE is a prescient and important protest document, an emblem of what is happening in our society right now.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

Sep 20, 2026

89/100

A terrifying look at what can happen when the government decides and educational institution needs to be remade according to the ideology of those currently in power.

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Gregg Shapiro

Bay Area Reporter

Sep 14, 2026

B+

There are probably some who will think that filmmaker Bresnan has too much of a liberal bent, especially when it comes to the depiction of student Josh’s transformation. However, the conservative voices we hear don’t do themselves any favors.

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Christopher Campbell

Nonfics (Substack)

Sep 11, 2026

A vital political documentary that occasionally gets lost in its pacing and focus and in its following of various uninteresting characters.

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Stephen Saito

Moveable Fest

Mar 28, 2026

A compelling chronicle of the dispiriting conservative takeover of Florida's cherished liberal arts school the New College offers some hope.

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Patrick Bresnan

Director

Gaby Batista

Self

Ivete Lucas

Writer

Leah Marino

Writer

Ivete Lucas

Screenwriter

Leah Marino

Screenwriter

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Synopsis

Director: Patrick Bresnan
Producer: Holly Herrick, Harry W. Hanbury, Patrick Bresnan, Zackary Drucker
Screenwriter: Ivete Lucas, Leah Marino, Ivete Lucas, Leah Marino
Distributor: Fourth Act Film
Production Co: Harry Hambury Productions, Otis Lucas Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 17, 2026, Limited
Runtime: 1h 45m

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First They Came for My College

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