BEYOND THE ONIROS FILM AWARDS®

Interview with Bryce Mackie, director of the short documentary ‘Michigan Visits Matter: The Family Cost of Incarceration’

by OFA Team

1. Hi, Bryce! ‘Michigan Visits Matter: The Family Cost of Incarceration’ has been recently named a Finalist in the category Best Social Justice Film at the Oniros Film Awards. Could you tell us more about this project?

This project is a short documentary exploring the devastating impact of visitation restrictions for families affected by incarceration in the state of Michigan (USA). It was made possible by a nonprofit organization called Michigan Citizens for Prison Reform (MICPR) who contacted me to work on this project with them. I directed, filmed and co-edited the project; however, MICPR organized everything. Michigan Citizens for Prison Reform is grassroots, family-led initiative that engages, educates and empowers families affected by crime and punishment to advance their constitutional, civil and human rights. The world needs to know the injustices of visitation restrictions for incarcerated individuals and their families. This documentary has the power to not only inform the public, but also change laws especially in Michigan.

2. Tell us a bit about your background. When did you decide you wanted to work in the film industry? 

I have been making films for over 20 years now. I knew I wanted to work in the film industry since I was 16 years old. I graduated from Columbia College with a Film Directing degree in 2013. I love to make films that have a direct impact on improving people’s lives. The films I am most proud of involve issues of mental health, addiction and prison reform. I want people to know they are not alone in the struggles of life and give them hope.

3. What did you enjoy the most about working on this film? What did you find more challenging?

I enjoyed working with Citizens for Prison Reform organization as well as the people interviewed in the documentary more than anything. I look up to everyone involved in this project because of their courage, wisdom, and passion. I am honored to help in any way I can to create more awareness and change for incarcerated individuals and their families.

Bryce Mackie and the official poster of ‘Michigan Visits Matter: The Family Cost of Incarceration’

4. Can you tell us more about the team and cast involved in the production?

The team consisted of my mom as an interviewer, and Citizens for Prison Reform’s staff who assisted with organizing and setting up the interviews, prepping participants on the forefront and assisting with some editing changes to the film. Many of these staff have also experienced having their visits taken away for up to four years.

The cast are all directly impacted families or formerly incarcerated individuals living in Michigan. Most of them have experienced having their visits taken away for years over two substance use tickets that did not occur during the visit nor involved the family. These families are in emotional pain daily, never knowing how many years it may be before they can see their incarcerated loved one. They also have not been allowed to have video calls as part of the punishment.

5. How was working with them?

Simply amazing. This is a project about creating needed change and we were all on the same page.

6. What keeps you inspired to continue working as a filmmaker?

What keeps me inspired is my experiences in life. Most of the films I make are personal stories. If I’m alive, I will most likely make films.

7. Do you have a dream project or someone you would like to work with one day?

To be honest I am simply grateful to have already made so many “dream” films. Almost every film I make is a dream for me. The fact that I am capable and passionate is enough for me to be content.

8. What’s next for you? What are you working on right now?

I would like to create more documentaries highlighting the conditions of confinement, need for adequate mental health care and for culture change inside of our prisons. Also, for staff training and a rehabilitative model inside of systems that incarcerate. These will most likely be my next projects. Thank you so much.