In the wake of the 2015 death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, Baltimore was a city on the edge. Peaceful protests and destructive riots erupted in the immediate aftermath of Gray's death, reflecting the deep divisions between authorities and the community – and underscoring the urgent need for reconciliation.

Baltimore Rising follows activists, police officers, community leaders and gang affiliates who struggle to hold Baltimore together while the city awaits the fate of the six police officers involved in the incident. This documentary chronicles the determined efforts of people on all sides who fight for justice and a better city, sometimes coming together in unexpected ways and discovering a common humanity.