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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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

13 hrs ago

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

6 days ago

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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Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

Mar 28, 2026

New College might try to change its curriculum and student body, but First They Came for My College demonstrates that doesn’t squash those curious and open enough to find ways to connect with each other.

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Christopher Llewellyn Reed

Hammer to Nail

Mar 27, 2026

First they came for the college. Tomorrow they’ll come for you.

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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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