Now Playing in Select Theaters
Left Behind is the inspiring story of a group of determined moms who band together to create the first public dyslexic school in the largest school district in America, New York City.
“Powerful…Inspiring…Left Behind is an urgent call to action to help dyslexic kids.”
– Anderson Cooper, CNN
“One of the best truly political documentaries of this or any other year.”
– DOMINIC PATTEN, DEADLINE
Upcoming Screenings
Opens March 30
Avon, NY | Avon Park Theatre
One day only.
Opens April 2
Larkspur, CA | The Lark Theatre
One day only. Featuring in-person Q&As with the filmmakers and special guests.
Bedford, NY | The Bedford Playhouse
One day only. Featuring an in person Q&A with Emily Hellstrom, Literacy Academy Collective
Opens April 15
Brookline, MA | The Coolidge
One day only. Featuring in-person Q&As with the Director, and Ruth Genn, Director of the Literacy Academy Collective.
Opens May 17th
San Francisco, CA |Roxie
One day only. Featuring in-person Q&As with the Director, Anna Toomey, Ruth Genn, Literacy Academy Collective and Kareem Weaver, Fulcrum
Opens May 19th
Berkley, CA| Rialto Elmwood
One day only. Featuring in person Q&A’s with Director, Anna Toomey, and Kareem Weaver, Fulcrum
Approximately 200,000 New York City public school students are dyslexic, yet there is no public initiative that provides the specialized skill and care necessary for these learners.
Frustrated that they had to remove their own kids from the public school system, a group of determined moms band together to do something that’s never been done before – open New York City’s first public school for dyslexic students. The journey is not a smooth ride, and they face both institutional and personal hurdles as they try to upend a system .
A new mayoral candidate bolsters their fight after he reveals his own dyslexia. But will they be able to convince a bureaucratic education system to overhaul outdated politics to ensure a brighter future for the city’s dyslexic youth?
Key Team
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DIRECTOR
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PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
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PRODUCER
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WRITER
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EDITOR
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
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EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
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DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
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CONSULTING PRODUCER
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COMPOSERS
Press
THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW: “U2 Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. Opens Up About Parenting A Child With Dyslexia & 'Left Behind' Doc.”
NIGHTLINE: “Documentary 'Left Behind' explores headwinds, solutions to living with dyslexia.”
ABC7 NYC: “New documentary spotlights mothers' journey to open school dedicated to children with dyslexia.”
GOOD MORNING AMERICA: “ABC News’ Juju Chang and Anna Toomey, a former "GMA" producer, discuss their new documentary about a group of mothers’ fight to start the first New York City Public School for kids with dyslexia.”
INDIEWIRE: TRAILER DEBUT (EXCLUSIVE)“Parents of Dyslexic Kids Join Forces in ‘Left Behind’ Trailer to Fix NYC Public Schools — with Help from U2’s Larry Mullen Jr.”
11th HOUR MSNBC: “A new documentary following a group of determined New York City moms determined to create a first-of-its-kind public school for dyslexic students.”
CBS NEWS: “New documentary "Left Behind" shines light on children with dyslexia”
ALL OF IT (WNYC): “How NYC Schools Have Left Kids With Dyslexia Behind (DOC NYC)”
DEADLINE: “U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. & ‘Left Behind’ Creatives On Dyslexia Documentary, Abramorama Acquisition & Why Parents Sometimes Just Don’t Understand”
BILLBOARD: “U2’s Larry Mullen and GAYLE on Writing Feisty ‘Between the Lines’ for ‘Left Behind’ Documentary: Premiere”
STEREOGUM: “U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. Wrote A Song With GAYLE For New Dyslexia Documentary”
ROLLING STONE: “Gayle and U2’s Larry Mullen Jr. Join Forces on ‘Between the Lines’”
DEADLINE: “Doc Talk-ElectionLine Crossover Podcast: Debating The Greatest Political Documentary Of All Time, And Why Conservatives Can’t Seem To Make A Decent One”
FILMMAKING CONVERSATIONS WITH DAMIEN SWABY: “Anna Toomey: Fighting for Dyslexic Students in Left Behind”
TIMES UNION: “Woodstock Film Festival celebrates 25 years with biggest lineup yet”
Special Thanks
