The Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition is fiscal sponsor for a new film about the First Amendment to be aired on PBS stations starting in October.

Made by Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Brian Malone, The First follows the evolution of the First Amendment’s five core freedoms — speech, press, assembly, petition and religion — from the nation’s founding to today.

It examines major events, laws and court decisions that have shaped these fundamental rights over time, including the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community Schools District and New York Times v. Sullivan.

“It’s often misunderstood, often contested. For many Americans, the First Amendment defines what it means to be free,” says Colorado Public Radio’s Bazi Kanani in the film’s trailer. The First is co-hosted by Kanani and NBC News correspondent Tom Costello.

Among the journalists, historians, activists and constitutional scholars interviewed in the film are Mary Beth Tinker, former New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet, former Washington Post editor Martin Baron and former CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr.

Rocky Mountain PBS is scheduled to air and stream The First during the second half of October. A few days before the premiere, CFOIC and RMPBS will host a special screening of the film followed by a discussion. Watch for details.