Behind The Lens: Why Has 'Homegrown' Not Secured U.S. Distribution?

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Photo Credit: Kisha Bari

Despite international festival acclaim and a 2026 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award for outstanding public service journalism, Homegrown remains without traditional U.S. distribution. The feature documentary, directed by Michael Premo, is currently streaming independently through May 1 at Homegrown.film as its creators continue to seek broader domestic access.

The film premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival and has screened at more than 50 festivals worldwide. It has secured distribution in Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. Yet in the United States—where its subject matter is most directly rooted—it has relied on grassroots screenings, community partnerships, and direct-to-audience streaming.

A Documentary At The Center Of Division

Homegrown follows three conservative activists in the years leading up to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Rather than focusing solely on the events of that day, the film examines the identity shifts, media ecosystems, and cultural grievances that contributed to political radicalization.

The film’s extension through May 1, according to its team, reflects a deliberate effort to keep it accessible amid ongoing political tension and renewed national debate about democratic norms. Premo describes the film as an exercise in proximity rather than polemic, saying:

We are doing everything we can to keep this film in front of audiences. People are searching for answers about how we got here. Homegrown doesn’t offer easy conclusions. It offers proximity. It offers context. And it offers the uncomfortable human truth behind headlines.

Recognition Without Domestic Backing

In addition to its duPont-Columbia honor, 'Homegrown' received The Phoenix Prize at Film Fest Cologne, the Justice Matters Award at Filmfest DC, and a nomination for the 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Spotlight Award. Oscar-winning screenwriter Charlie Wachtel, known for co-writing BlacKkKlansman, called the film:

Raw and unapologetic. Homegrown is a snapshot of how democracy dies by the hands of the very people who think they’re saving it. There are consequences to living in a society that amplifies lies — this documentary proves it.

Even with high-profile endorsements and international recognition, the film has yet to secure a major U.S. distributor—raising broader questions about risk, marketability, and audience appetite for politically charged nonfiction cinema.

Continuing The Conversation

'Homegrown' will be featured March 9 at the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College as part of its Democracy Under Pressure series, with a discussion between Premo and political theorist Cristina Beltran examining the rise of multiracial conservatism. On April 23, the film screens at the Albany Film Commission event at the Albany Cap Center in Albany, NY, followed by a conversation with author and journalist Paul Grondahl.

Additional Talk Back events and screenings are planned nationwide, with educators and organizers encouraged to host community viewings.

As the United States approaches another pivotal political cycle, Homegrown continues to circulate independently—positioned less as a definitive answer than as an invitation to confront uncomfortable realities.

The documentary remains available for streaming through May 1 at Homegrown.film.