I Am Evidence
Exposing the backlog of rape kits in the United States
2017 | Running Time: 89 minutes | Rating: NR
I AM EVIDENCE uncovers the hundreds of thousands of rape kits left untested in police evidence storage rooms across the United States. DNA evidence contained in the kits could identify suspects, affirm accounts of sexual assault survivors and identify serial offenders, yet these kits have been shelved for decades. Through the stories of survivors, who are still awaiting justice, and the people who are fighting on their behalf, the film brings to light how the criminal justice system has historically treated sexual assault survivors. I AM EVIDENCE premiered on HBO and at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2017. Co-Director: Geeta Gandbhir; Co-Director/Producer: Trish Adlesic; Producer: Mariska Hargitay; Executive Producers: Lauran Bromley, Myrna Bromley, Marc Levin, Sukey Novogratz, Regina K. Scully, Maile M. Zambuto
Geeta Gandbhir, Co-Director
Geeta Gandbhir is an award-winning director and editor. Her film credits include A JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND MILES: PEACEKEEPERS (2015) and I AM EVIDENCE (2017). In 2017, she began co-directing and co-producing a series on race with The New York Times Op Docs titled THE CONVERSATION – which won a MacArthur Grant.
Trish Adlesic, Co-Director, Producer
Trish Adlesic is a director and producer. Her socially-conscious film credits include I AM EVIDENCE (2017), GASLAND (2010) and GASLAND PART II (2013). Adlesic is part of the Director’s Guild of America and previously worked for 15 years as the location manager for NBC’s Law & Order: SVU series.
Mariska Hargitay, Producer
Mariska Hargitay is a producer and award-winning actress, famously known for her role as Lieutenant Olivia Benson on the long-running NBC series Law & Order: SVU. While working on SVU, Mariska was inspired to found the Joyful Heart Foundation. The foundation’s goal is to change society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and support survivors’ healing.
Cinema Eye Honors Awards 2019: Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Nonfiction Filmmaking
Hamptons International Film Festival 2017: Victor Rabinowitz and Joanna Grant Award for Social Justice
Cleveland International Film Festival 2018: Local Heroes Competition (nomination), ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman (nomination)
Provincetown International Film Festival 2017: Best Documentary
Traverese City Film Festival 2017: Best Documentary Film
“The film, co-produced by the “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star and Trish Adlesic, and co-directed by Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir, takes a human approach to an epidemic that has reduced survivors, their stories and their trauma to a box of evidence.”
The Huffington Post