AMI Presents Emotional Documentary on Medical Assistance in Dying Journey
Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), in collaboration with OUTtv and Mirror Image Media, has announced the world broadcast premiere of the original documentary The Last Days of April. This powerful film will air on Friday, August 7, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time on AMI-tv and AMI+, and at 9 p.m. Eastern on OUTtv, offering viewers an intimate look at a deeply personal healthcare journey.
Documentary Details and Festival Debut
The feature-length version of The Last Days of April is scheduled to debut on April 24 and 25 as part of the Canadian Spectrum Competition at this year's Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival. This prestigious platform will showcase the film's compelling narrative to international audiences, highlighting its significance in contemporary documentary filmmaking.
April Hubbard's Courageous Story
The documentary follows April Hubbard, a prominent disability advocate living with a tethered spinal cord and chronic pain, as she navigates the end of her life. Hubbard's decision to share her Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) journey creates an emotional and thought-provoking narrative that challenges viewers to reconsider assumptions about bodily autonomy and healthcare accessibility.
Through intimate interviews and personal anecdotes, the film documents the intersection of personal choice and systemic barriers within healthcare systems. The documentary ultimately advocates for a more inclusive and compassionate world where individuals have greater control over their end-of-life decisions.
Filmmakers' Vision and Purpose
"In The Last Days of April, our goal was to provide a platform for a story defined by dignity, resilience, and the fundamental right to bodily autonomy," explained filmmakers Ree Wright and Meaghan Wright. "As a celebrated advocate and artist, April Hubbard has spent her life fighting for the visibility of disabled voices, and this film is a continuation of that legacy."
The filmmakers emphasized that the documentary offers "an intimate look at the deeply personal realities of navigating a complex healthcare system" while "honoring a life lived with purpose and ensuring that April's story is told on her own terms."
Featured Participants and Background
Appearing alongside April Hubbard in the documentary are several key figures:
- Matthew Downey (they/them), April's partner
- Vanessa Furlong (she/her), circus instructor
- Nikki Kelly (she/her), MAiD nurse practitioner
- Andrew Gurza (they/he), podcast host
April Hubbard is a multi-talented individual based in Halifax who identifies as a Queer, Mad, Disabled, white, Mi'kmaw woman. Her diverse background includes:
- Circus performer and drag artist
- Arts administrator and accessibility consultant
- Former chair of the Halifax Fringe Festival
- Co-founder of disabilityX Halifax
- Author of the Eastern Front Theatre Accessibility Report
- Recipient of the Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Volunteerism at the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards
Throughout her career, Hubbard has worked to create space for those with unseen bodies and unheard voices, encouraging others to design the society in which they wish to live by challenging assumptions and normalizing the presence of people with disabilities in our world.
Production Team and Credits
The Last Days of April was written, directed, and produced by Ree Wright and Meaghan Wright, with Melani Wood serving as co-producer. The director of photography was Ree Wright, and the editing team consisted of Amy Mielke and Ree Wright, ensuring a cohesive and powerful visual narrative that respects Hubbard's story and message.
