The Right To Be Well
The 2025 festival highlighted overlooked stories—from reproductive health, disabilities and the political implications of rest, to broader medical research, ethics and access issues.
2025 Honorees
JOHN ROBERT LEWIS
LIFETIME LEGACY AWARD
The Lifetime Legacy Award was established to honor a lifetime of extraordinary achievement in advancing civil rights and social justice. Awarded to Congressman John Lewis himself and renamed the John Lewis Lifetime Legacy Award in his honor after his passing, this prestigious award recognizes leaders whose unwavering commitment to equity and justice reflects the core principles that guided Congressman Lewis— courage, resilience, and transformative action.
Senator Cory Booker
Cory Booker is a U.S. Senator representing New Jersey, serving since 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Party and the first African-American U.S. Senator from New Jersey. Before his Senate career, he was the mayor of Newark from 2006 to 2013. He also served on the Newark Municipal Council for the Central Ward from 1998 to 2002.
MARCH ON! AWARD
The March On! Awards were established to recognize leaders and organizations whose commitment to advancing civil rights and social justice is unparalleled. Honorees exemplify the spirit of activism, advocacy, and creative expression that drives meaningful change. Through their work—whether in the arts, public service, or community leadership—recipients of the March On!™ The lifetime achievement award has only been bestowed upon one other individual.
Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith and Firelight Media
Stanley Nelson is today’s leading documentarian of the African American experience. Awards received include a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, five Primetime Emmy Awards, lifetime achievement awards from the Emmys and IDA, and the National Medal in the Humanities from President Obama.
Marcia Smith is the former President of Firelight Media. Under her leadership, Firelight Media was honored with a MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. She has written several films alongside Stanley Nelson including: Freedom Riders, Through the Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama, Jonestown, and The Murder of Emmett Till.
In 2000, Mr. Nelson and his wife, Marcia Smith, co-founded Firelight Media, a non-profit organization that provides mentorship, funding, and artistic development opportunities to emerging documentary filmmakers of color.
