Anna Toomey

Chris Farrell

Larry Mullen Jr

Sian Edwards-Beal

David Beal

Mari Keiko-Gonzalez

This gripping feature documentary 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.

Left Behind is the inspiring story of a group of determined and passionate moms from diverse backgrounds who banded together to create the first public dyslexic school in the largest school district in America, New York City.  We followed their uphill battle for 3 years, challenging an outdated system that blatantly denies children with this learning disability access to a free and appropriate education.  Their PUBLIC school opened in the fall of 2023, South Bronx Literacy Academy.  The first of its kind in New York City, and across the country.

Woodstock Film Festival

DOC NYC

Melbourne Documentary Film Festival

SOHO International Film Festival

“One of the best truly political documentaries of this or any other year”

Dominic Patten

“Powerful...inspiring.…Left Behind is an urgent call to action to help dyslexic kids”

Anderson Cooper

“The catchy, propulsive song - is spiky and defiant, driven by Mullen’s drumming”