Documentary Profiled New College Protest Movements
The film First They Came For My College premiered at the Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville this past September.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in College Applications
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The documentary First They Came For My College debuted at the Hippodrome Theatre, chronicling student reactions to administrative shifts at the New College of Florida. The film features footage documenting institutional changes and protest efforts within the campus community.
Why it matters
The documentary highlights the impact of Florida Board of Governors appointments and the subsequent removal of diversity and education programs. Filmmakers aimed to activate viewers to examine administrative and policy changes occurring at their own universities.
The production team compiled 300 hours of footage to create a two-hour documentary. The film details the removal of library books and the school's decision to adopt 287(g) agreements for ICE cooperation.
The players
New College of Florida
This public honors college located in Sarasota has undergone significant leadership and policy changes in recent years.
Hippodrome Theatre
This historic venue serves as a prominent cultural and performing arts center in the city of Gainesville.
Florida Board of Governors
This body oversees the Florida State University System and is responsible for major policy and administrative decisions.
The details
Students are shown creating signs and chants in protest of the removal of the gender studies program and other academic changes. The project provides a firsthand look at the internal campus conflict following state-level board appointments.
Timeline
The New College retention rate stood at nearly 80 percent in 2022.
Florida Board of Governors appointments and a decline to 65 percent retention occurred in 2023.
The theatrical run at the Hippodrome Theatre began on September 17, 2026.
The film concluded its run at the theater on September 26, 2026.
Culture Shift
The film captures a collision between traditional campus autonomy and new legislative pressures in higher education. This trend reflects a broader societal shift toward increased state-level oversight and administrative restructuring in public universities.
The film may influence how local families and students evaluate institutional stability when selecting a university for their own education. Viewers are encouraged to consider the transparency of administrative policies at their prospective or current schools.
The takeaway
Student protest movements often serve as a bellwether for larger structural changes within the public university system. Understanding these institutional shifts allows prospective students and families to make more informed decisions regarding their educational investments.
Further reading
Learn more about the shifting environment of higher education in our College Applications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Independent Florida Alligator.
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