'' Knife Skills '' is a 2017 American documentary film directed by Thomas Lennon . It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 90th Academy Awards . The film focuses on people 's transition from prison life to the outside world through Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute in Cleveland , Ohio . The goal of the institute is to teach former prisoners life skills and to give them focus in order to reduce recidivism rates . The film follows the first class of students through their training and the opening of the restaurant
90th Academy Awards
90th Academy Awards
Knife Skills