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Plays in Shorts Program: System Failure
Friday, June 14
4:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Eaton Cinema

1201 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Tickets and Passes

In Due Season

Director

Ashley O'Shay

Executive Producers

Yellowing Productions, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, alignco

Producer

Cherrelle Swain

Editor

Alanna Schmelter

Cinematographer

Cai Thomas

In Due Season captures America’s healthcare system at a crossroads, highlighting the stories of Black Americans impacted by the lack of Medicaid expansion in the American South. In Due Season explores the human impact of the Medicaid gap in America, focusing on Black Americans in states that have not yet expanded Medicaid. Despite the Obama-era push for expansion under the Affordable Care Act, 10 states—mainly in the South—opted out, leaving many low-income families without healthcare coverage.

This documentary introduces us to three individuals caught in this gap: Neidre Fears, a single mother from Tupelo, MS, who lost access to Medicaid following a health scare with her first pregnancy; Pamela Williams from Sylvester, GA, who was unexpectedly diagnosed with rheumatoid polyarthritis, forcing her to leave work and lose her insurance; and Brian Williams from Tallahassee, FL, who developed Type II diabetes but couldn’t afford marketplace insurance, forcing him to rely on over-the-counter insulin.

In partnership with the American Cancer Society, the film introduces us to individuals at the heart of this issue, as lawmakers continue to decide who is and isn’t deserving of healthcare. In Due Season asks many questions, but ultimately leaves the answers with the audience and stakeholders who hold the power to advocate and bring about this seismic shift that is long overdue.

Ashley-8copy

Ashley O'Shay

Director, In Due Season

Ashley O’Shay is a director and DP living in Chicago. Her work focuses on illuminating marginalized voices. She specializes in immersive stories, recognizing the societal impact of observing life as is. She’s brought her unique style beyond the documentary space, collaborating with several national brands, including Lyft, Nike, Vox, and Dr. Martens. Most recently, her cinematography appeared in Founder Girls, a 2022 Queen Collective film that premiered at Tribeca 2023. In 2020, she premiered her debut feature, Unapologetic, which captures two fierce abolitionists whose upbringing and experiences shape their activism and views on Black liberation. The film premiered at the 2020 BlackStar Film Festival, broadcast on PBS POV, and was shortlisted for the International Documentary Association Awards. Ashley was also selected as the recipient of the 2021 Athena Film Festival Breakthrough Award, the 2021 Cleveland International Film Festival Groundbreaker Award, and DOC NYC’s 40 Under 40 List.