The documentary Left Behind directed by Emmy Award winner Anna Toomey has been acquired by Abramorama for release in theaters.
Left Behind tells the story of five tenacious mothers determined to establish the first public school in New York City for children with dyslexia. Addressing a learning disability that impacts an estimated 200,000 students in NYC, and roughly 20% of the public at large, the mothers’ struggle to upend the nation’s largest public school system and garner support to open the South Bronx Literacy Academy in September 2023.
The documentary world premiered at the 25th annual Woodstock Film Festival this October, followed by a Q&A hosted by one of the film’s executive producers Juju Chang (Emmy Award-winning co-anchor of ABC News Nightline). Producer Larry Mullen, Jr. was also in attendance for the Q&A. Mullen Jr. collaborated with GAYLE to create an original song for the film, “Between The Lines”. The Metropolis Competition screening in NYC is set for November 20 & 21 as part of DOC NYC, with screenings at Village East by Angelika and IFC Center.
Left Behind will kick off the theatrical release on January 17, 2025, with a week-long engagement at NYC’s QUAD Cinema. The film will expand to select theaters nationwide thereafter.
Director Anna Toomey stated, “Our goal for this film has always been reaching the most number of viewers; partnering with the Abramorama team to bring this film to theaters will allow us to shed light on this important issue. It is a travesty that so many struggling readers are left behind and able unable to reach their full potential. This film is deeply personal to me and all of the filmmakers involved and we hope that by bringing awareness to this issue we can change the lives of millions of kids across the country and the world.”
Producers David Beal, Emmy Award winner Sian Edwards-Beal, Chris Farrell and Larry Mullen Jr. added, “We were honored to take this journey with Anna Toomey on her first film. Anna’s incredible passion for this story, combined with the drive of the moms and the authentic power of Larry and GAYLE’s song makes this a remarkable film. Abramorama is the perfect theatrical distributor for this film.”