Project Detail

Lady Lifers

Lady Lifers

Synopsis

For the first time in 30 years, a film crew gains rare access to Pennsylvania’s maximum-security women’s prisons. Inside, The Lady Lifers – a band led by former soul singer Naomi Blount – turn grief into music and defiance.
Though Naomi never took a life, she is serving life without parole. To have any hope of freedom, she must express guilt she does not feel – a cruel paradox of the justice system. As her music echoes beyond the prison walls and reaches the public, lawmakers and activists, the question remains:
Will her voice be enough to finally set her free - and to free those she left behind?
Official Selection Durban International Film Festival 2026

Details

Year
2026
Type of project
Features
Running time
56 min
Format
4k
Director
Jake J Smith
Producer
Jake J Smith
Executive Producer
Jake J Smith, Daniel Grixti
Editor
Jake J Smith, Daniel Grixti
Director of Photography
Daniel Grixti
Sound
Jake J Smith, Daniel Grixti
Principal cast
With contributions from: ‘The Lady Lifers’; Naomi Blount, Diane Metzger, Brenda Watkins, Joanne Butler, Deborah Brown, Lena Brown, Danielle Hadley
Other Lead Creative(s)
Adam Gee
Consultant Producer
Adam Gee
Illustration
Alison Moon, Daniel Grixti, Jake J. Smith
Music Supervisors
Daniel Grixti, Jake J. Smith

Categories

Production Status

Production Company

House of Chimera Ltd.

Jake J Smith

Sales Company

Film Sales Company

Carylanna Taylor (rights, festivals and screenings)
Jess Linde (general enquiries)

Page updates

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