BREATHE FREEDOM the John McNeil story
*** SPECIAL SHOWING ***
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WILSON, NC – November 24, 2025
BREATHE FREEDOM: THE JOHN MCNEIL STORY, SET FOR RED CARPET SPECIAL SHOWING AT THE EDNA BOYKIN CENTER, WILSON, NC ON DECEMBER 20, 2025
WILSON, NC – Whirligig Pictures, LLC is proud to announce the world premiere of the highly anticipated feature documentary, Breathe Freedom: the John McNeil story, directed and filmed by William J Howard III. The red carpet event will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 3:00pm at the Edna Boykin Center in Wilson, NC.
Breathe Freedom: the John McNeil story details the events when John McNeil was found guilty for murder and sentenced to life in prison for a self defense shooting in Kennesaw, Georgia, and the efforts of his wife Anita McNeil and two communities and multiple organizations to right the injustice of the sentencing. The documentary features interviews with former president and CEO of the NAACP, Ben Jealous, former president of the Georgia chapter of the NAACP, Edward DuBose, former director of the criminal justice program of the NAACP, Dr. Niaz Kasravi, former reporter with the Wilson Times who broke the story, Janet Conner-Knox, and of course, John McNeil.
"We are incredibly excited to share Breathe Freedom: the John McNeil story with the world," said William Howard III, the film's director. "This project has been on my mind since reading about the story over a decade ago, and for the last 18 months I believe we have brought together some incredible testimony in showing there are injustices in this world that are still occurring.”
Immediately following the premiere screening, there will be a Q&A session with the director and key cast members. Members of the press are invited to attend and conduct interviews.
A trailer for the film is available to view at https://youtu.be/3HLKA9HWjKc
EVENT DETAILS:
What: Special showing of Breathe Freedom: the John McNeil story
When: December 20, 2025, red carpet arrivals at 3pm, screening at 4pm
Where: Edna Boykin Center, 108 Nash Street, Wilson, NC
Tickets/RSVP: BreatheFreedom.Eventbrite.com for tickets, contact WhirligigPictures@gmail.com for media inquiries
About Whirligig Pictures LLC:
Whirligig Pictures is a film production company in Wilson, NC. Past films include The Great Dismal, Something Walks in the Woods, and UrbEx, as well as the docuseries Encounters: The Complete Interviews. For more information, visit WhirligigPicturesLLC.com.
Media Contact:
William (Bill) J Howard III
Owner
Whirligig Pictures, LLC
WhirligigPictures@gmail.com
252-205-7681