NO TIME TO FAIL
Amidst an onslaught of disinformation and the deadly threat of a global pandemic, local election administrators in Rhode Island work around the clock to secure the vote for their community.
The film is an invitation to the American electorate to meet the people whose job it is to uphold the scaffolding of our republic and protect accessible, free and fair elections.
CONTEXT
Despite the unbelievable challenges posed by the global pandemic and desperate attempts to disrupt and upend the 2020 election, elections officials across the country succeeded in managing the most secure election in US history. Rather than receiving a hero’s welcome, local election officials have become the focus of an ongoing attack, undermining our democratic practice. These essential workers now sit at the center of public debate about the integrity of our democracy.
REVIEWS OF NO TIME TO FAIL
"[No Time To Fail] is as compelling as on-the-ground journalism gets.”
– Ty Burr, Film Critic
"See this film -- a real eye opener about all the things election officials do to make sure your vote counts."
– Pam Fessler, former NPR Washington Bureau correspondent
“It was a great movie, and great to see that other election offices experience the same thing that we go through.”
– Tania Griffin, Arlington County
“The film is beautiful. It captured so many of the tiny moments that are so precious to me in my line of work. It also captured some of the moments that were unique to the 2020 elections and the pandemic. And it's those moments that make this film so hugely important.”
– Town Clerk, Grace Bannasch
"In a stroke of pure filmmaking genius, the film ends on the morning of January 6th. You see the workers complete their jobs and send off the electors for certification in Washington, D.C. Of course, none of them knew that a mob awaited, ready to negate all their hard work and vigilance because they were unhappy with the legitimate outcome. The effect of ending the film just before the insurrection began is stunning. "
– Michael Gemme, NH Film Festival Review
"A timely and important documentary."
- Edward Fitzpatrick, Boston Globe
“I was impressed by all the processes that each ballot goes through, and how there is a procedure for anything that can go wrong. The film really showed how each vote is valued, and the lengths the workers went through was very impressive.”
– John Snowdy, DC Public Charter School Board
"Every American Voter should see No Time To Fail. It tells the story of local and state election officials in a compelling way: watch their competence, determination, and humanity in the face of running an election during covid and attacks on the integrity of the system."
– Rick Hasen, UCLA scholar, Election Law
in the press
Realscreen - Exclusive: ‘America ReFramed’ adds three new docs to fall slate
Manchester Ink - Buzzworthy Weekend at NH Film Festival
A Public Affair on WORT Community Radio - No Time To Fail, a film about election workers. Broadcast live from Madison, WI.
The Boston Globe - “The foot soldiers of democracy”
Roll Call, Political Theater - A podcast: ‘No Time to Fail’ — An empathetic look at the people who make elections work
The Great Battlefield - A podcast about Election Workers with Margo, Sara and Liz about the film NO TIME TO FAIL
The Public’s Radio, Political Roundtable - Ian Donnis interviews Sara Archambault
Cranston Herald - ‘No Time To Fail’ documents how local canvassing departments prepared for the 2020 election
