🎬 Brave the Dark Movie Premiere
In November 2024, CASA Minnesota proudly joined the Court Appointed Advocates Network (CAAN) in promoting Brave the Dark — a gripping new film inspired by true events that celebrates mentorship, trust, and redemption. Earlier that year, CAAN organized an informational session to highlight the movie’s release and explore how local CASA programs could use it to inspire communities and recruit new volunteers.
About the Film
Brave the Dark tells the story of a small-town high-school teacher in the 1980s who becomes deeply involved in the mysterious life of one of his students. When the student, Nate (Nicholas Hamilton, Captain Fantastic, It), is suddenly arrested outside his classroom, teacher Stan Deen (Jared Harris, Chernobyl, Mad Men) feels compelled to uncover the truth behind the teen’s difficult past. Long driven by the belief that no student is a lost cause, Stan’s determination to help Nate forces him to confront his own doubts, leading both men on an emotional journey from betrayal toward trust and redemption.
Rated PG-13, the film highlights themes of compassion, resilience, and the power of caring adults — values at the heart of CASA’s mission to advocate for children in foster care and child-protection systems.
🎟️ How to Attend
Brave the Dark opens in theaters nationwide this January. Tickets are now available through Angel Studios, where you can search by ZIP code to find local showings. CASA Minnesota encourages supporters, volunteers, and partners to attend or host a group viewing. A complete spreadsheet of participating theaters is available for anyone planning community screenings.
Together, let’s celebrate this inspiring story and the message it carries — that every child deserves someone who believes in them.
CASA Minnesota (also known as CASA MN) is a nonprofit organization based in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area (serving Hennepin and Ramsey counties). Our mission is to support, train, and retain volunteer Guardians ad Litem (GALs)—court-appointed advocates who represent the best interests of children who have experienced abuse or neglect in the child protection system.
Our volunteers play a critical role in court proceedings, ensuring that children’s educational, medical, living, and familial needs are represented and prioritized—even in a system that can often be overloaded and under-resourced. CASA MN emphasizes matching volunteer advocates to children with whom they share cultural backgrounds or experiences, fostering stronger, more meaningful advocacy connections.
Additionally, we run CASA Cares grants, providing up to $500 per year per child to support enrichment opportunities—such as summer camps, music lessons, sports equipment, or cultural activities—giving foster youth moments of joy and development that aren’t covered by government aid. To date, they’ve distributed over $180,000 in direct grants to children across the state.
