Classroom 4

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Classroom 4
Classroom 4 film poster.webp
Promotional poster
Directed byEden Wurmfeld
Produced by
  • Yael Bridge
  • Eden Wurmfeld
Starring
  • Reiko Hillyer
CinematographySean Conley
Edited byLawrence Lerew
Production
company
Eden Wurmfeld Films
Distributed by PBS
Release date
Running time
39 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Classroom 4 is a 2025 American documentary short film, directed and produced by Eden Wurmfeld. The film follows a course taught inside a prison, involving students from a nearby college and incarcerated students, about the United States' history of crime and punishment. [1]

Contents

It was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. [2] [3]

Synopsis

Classroom 4 follows an award-winning history professor Reiko Hillyer who teaches a course called The History of Crime and Punishment in the United States to a mixed group of students—some incarcerated and some from the outside. The film traces how the class examines themes such as masculinity, prison abolition, and mercy. Through these discussions, it highlights how people in prison are often overlooked, shows the wider impact of mass incarceration, and underscores the value of educational programs that bring incarcerated and free students together.

Cast

Production

The film was shot at the Columbia River Correctional Institution under Oregon Department of Corrections in Portland, Oregon, United States. [4]

Release

The film had its world premiere in the 34th Edition Shortsfest: Program 4 at the Aspen Shortsfest on April 2, 2025, [5] where it won Jury Award for Documentary. [6]

It had its East Coast Premiere in Short program 'What These Walls Hold' at the DC/DOX on June 15, 2025. [7] [8]

The film opened the LA Shorts Fest on July 16, 2025, in Program 1. [9] [10]

It was screened in Better Together shorts program at the Indy Shorts International Film Festival on July 27, 2025. [11]

It was presented as part of Shorts Program: 2025 Conflict and Resolution Shorts at the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 10, 2025. [12]

The film had its Hudson Valley Premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on October 19, 2025. [13]

On November 17, 2025, it was screened in the Short List: Shorts – Becoming at Doc NYC along with other two films. [14]

It premiered on November 25, 2025, on PBS and is available for streaming. [15] The film is also part of the POV Shorts Season 8. [16]

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremonyCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
Aspen Shortsfest April 5, 2025Jury Award for DocumentaryClassroom 4Won [17]
LA Shorts Fest July 28, 2025Best DocumentaryWon [18]
Critics' Choice Documentary Awards November 9, 2025 Best Short DocumentaryNominated [19]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Classroom 4". Classroom 4. March 1, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  2. ↑ "98th Oscars Shortlists in 12 Award Categories Announced". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
  3. ↑ Hilary Lewis, Beatrice Verhoeven (December 16, 2025). "2026 Oscars Shortlists Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  4. ↑ ""Classroom 4" Documentary Features Prison Program Led by Lewis & Clark Professor". KATU . December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  5. ↑ "34th Edition Shortsfest: Program 4". Aspen Shortsfest . April 2, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ McHorse, Hailey (May 14, 2025). "Inside-Out Film Wins Best Documentary at 2025 Aspen Shortsfest". Lewis and Clark. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Classroom 4". DC/DOX. May 7, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  8. ↑ Carey, Matthew (May 7, 2025). "DC/DOX To Showcase A Dozen World Premieres, Oscar Contenders, Films On Barbara Walters, Robert Reich, Deepfaked Sam Altman". Deadline . Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  9. ↑ Carey, Matthew (July 16, 2025). "LA Shorts Int'l Film Festival To Showcase 470 Films, Work Starring CCH Pounder, Wallace Shawn, Michael Gandolfini And More, Plus AI Slate". Deadline . Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Opening Night Program 1". LA Shorts Fest . July 16, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Academy Award®-Qualifying Indy Shorts Announces 2025 Festival Lineup with Premieres starring Lena Headey, André Holland, Sophia Di Martino and Poppy". Heartland Film. June 26, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Classroom 4". Hamptons International Film Festival . May 7, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Classroom 4". Woodstock Film Festival . October 19, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Classroom 4". Doc NYC . November 17, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Classroom 4". PBS . November 25, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  16. ↑ Morfoot, Addie (October 7, 2025). "Jeff Orlowski-Yang's 'Chasing Time' Will Launch 'POV Shorts' Season 8 (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety . Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Award Winners". Aspen Shortsfest . July 14, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  18. ↑ "2025 Award Winners". LA Shorts Fest . July 27, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  19. ↑ Davis, Clayton (October 14, 2025). "'Orwell: 2+2=5' and 'The Perfect Neighbor' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominations". Variety . Retrieved December 20, 2025.
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