Acclaimed Documentary UNAPOLOGETIC Launches Theatrical Run Aug 20; Directorial Debut for O’Shay

Meet Janaé and Bella, two fierce abolitionists whose upbringing and experiences shape their activism and views on Black liberation. Through their lens, UNAPOLOGETIC provides an inside look into the ongoing movement work that transformed Chicago, from the police murder of Rekia Boyd to the election of mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The film begins its release August 20th as part of the re-opening of the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago. It also opens August 27th in New York City at Cinema Village and The Maysles Documentary Center; and in Toronto, Canada on the same date at the Bloor Cinema.

Here is your preview of UNAPOLOGETIC:

The Los Angeles theatrical starts September 3rd at the Laemmle Monica. A nationwide release follows. 

UNAPOLOGETIC is the directorial debut of Ashley O’Shay and opens following an outstanding film festival run that included a World Premiere at BlackStar Film Festival, Heartland, Frameline, Outfest, DOC NYC, London Human Rights Film Festival and more. The film was also shortlisted by the International Documentary Association for Best Documentary Feature in 2020.

Debut for Director Ashley O’Shay

Ashley O’Shay is a director-DP based in Chicago, IL, whose work focuses on illuminating marginalized voices. She has collaborated with a number of national brands, including Nike, Vox, Wilson Tennis, and Dr. Martens. Most recently, she filmed an international commercial spot for Wilson Tennis, with over 1M views in digital markets. In 2020, she captured the final episode of Dr. Martens’ “Tough As You” series, starring the band Phony Ppl, accruing over 65K views on social and web. Her work also appeared in the critically-acclaimed Lifetime docuseries, Surviving R. Kelly. Although she has crafted many short films, Unapologetic is her first venture into the feature world. The film premiered at the 2020 BlackStar Film Festival, and was shortlisted for the International Documentary Association Awards.