‘American Delivery’ - Public Television May 1

 ‘American Delivery’ Documentary to Premiere Nationwide on Public Television May 1

As the U.S. faces a growing maternal health crisis, especially for women of color, a new documentary is shining a necessary spotlight on the lifesaving work of nurses and communities fighting to protect mothers and newborns. American Delivery, the latest film from the award-winning team behind The American Nurse, will make its national television and streaming debut May 1, 2025, on public television stations and PBS.org, presented by WHYY and distributed by American Public Television (APT).

A longer, extended version will follow with a digital release by Kino Lorber on May 6, available to rent or own on Apple TV, Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Google Play.

A Joyful and Urgent Portrait of Birth in America

Directed by Carolyn Jones and produced by Lisa Frank, American Delivery is both a celebration and a call to action. The film captures intimate moments as babies are born—and the immediate, invisible battle that begins to keep new mothers alive in a fractured health care system. It’s a story about listening, community, and the power of nurses working at the heart of maternal care.

Filmed in Ohio, Kentucky, New York, California, Massachusetts, and even Tanzania, the documentary interweaves powerful personal stories with a broad look at the social and medical systems surrounding birth in America. Its message is clear: amid a national crisis, there are champions doing everything they can to catch new mothers before they fall.

The film has already earned recognition on the festival circuit, including the Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award for Best Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking Award from the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.

Screenings Across All 50 States During National Nurses Week

In partnership with organizations including the American Nurses Association, American College of Nurse Midwives, AARP Campaign for Action, and Nurse-Family Partnership, American Delivery will screen in all 50 states during National Nurses Week (May 6–12). Events will also take place on May 5—International Day of the Midwife—and throughout Maternal Health Awareness Month.

The New York red carpet premiere will be held at Film at Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater.

From the Team Behind The American Nurse

Director Carolyn Jones is known for shining light on overlooked voices—from nurses to patients to everyday heroes. Her previous documentaries, including Defining Hope and In Case of Emergency, have aired widely on PBS and been part of the U.S. State Department’s American Film Showcase. American Delivery continues her mission of telling deeply human stories that lead to action and change.

“In this divisive, politically-charged moment, I wanted to create a film that would empower women to speak up and demand better care,” said Jones. “American Delivery is a reminder of how beautiful and vulnerable birth can be—and how urgently we must protect mothers, babies, and the people who care for them.”

Key Partners and Distribution

• Presented by: WHYY

• Distributed by: American Public Television (APT)

• Produced with support from: Penn Medicine, American Nurses Foundation, the Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy, and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing

• Digital release by: Kino Lorber on May 6

• Educational access: The film will also be made available to schools and institutions

For more information, including full viewing schedules and resources, visit AmericanDelivery.film.

To view the official trailer: Watch here