Life in a Vial
(2020)

Synopsis: 
Abigail, a college student living with type one diabetes, winds up in the hospital after rationing the medication that keeps her alive... insulin. From writer and director, Samantha Bozin, "Life in a Vial" is the dramatized tale of what happens when insulin prices are too high, followed by a documentary-style talk back about diabetes advocacy.

Disclaimer: 90% of the proceeds from the film will be donated to advocate for affordable insulin! 
Photo above: Dir. Samantha Bozin

Photos from the film:
Director's Statement:
Life in a Vial is a short film I wrote and directed about type one diabetes and insulin affordability in the United States.

The subject matter of insulin affordability is incredibly personal to me. I have been living with type one diabetes for nearly 20 years, and when I was in college, one of my friends with type one diabetes confided in me that she was rationing her insulin and asked if I could give her some of my own. She was incredibly scared and embarrassed to ask me, but she was also desperate and knew that if she didn’t ask, she might die.

Some background info: insulin is a hormone necessary to regulate glucose in the blood, and without it, a person will die within a few days. Insulin was discovered in 1921 by Frederick Banting, and he sold his patent for $1, ensuring that anyone who needed access to it, would have it. In the US, insulin prices have gone from about $50 per vial in 2010, to close to $350 per vial in 2020. That means that if someone uses 4 vials of insulin per month, they will be spending over $1000 a month for their life saving medication.

As you watch my film, I want to ask, “Could you afford to pay the price?” Could you afford to pay $1000+ a month to survive? Or would you have to pay the price of losing your life in order to pay your rent, pay your bills, and provide for your family? 
This is a very scary issue to talk about, but we can’t ignore it. AND we have the power to make change. Petitions are being signed, bills are being passed, and money is being raised. We can and we will make a difference for type one diabetics. 

Life in a Vial is now available to rent or purchase on Vimeo! 90% of the proceeds I receive from this film will go towards insulin affordability advocacy.

Film Festival Screenings & Awards:

Colorado International Film Festival
Denver Premiere 
Nominee: Rising Star Award (Ash Award)
Nominee: Best Costumes and Makeup Award (Maple Award)
Nominee: Festival Theme Award (Chestnut Award)

International Social Change Film Festival
Chicago Premiere 
Semi-Finalist

Cult Movies International Film Festival
Nominee: Best Short Disability Film

Sweden Film Awards
Finalist: Best First Short Film

Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival
Nominee: Best Trailer
Nominee: Best Production Design

First Time Filmmaker's Session
Virtual World Premiere 
Semi-Finalist: Best Short Film

Model N Movie International Short Film Festival
Finalist: Best Medical/Health Short

London International Monthly Film Festival
Honorable Mention: Best Costume and Makeup Design

Prague International Monthly Film Festival
Finalist: Best Trailer

American Golden Picture International Film Festival
Official Selection

Andromeda Film Festival
Official Selection

Rio Independent Film Festival
Official Selection

FROSTBITE International Indie Fest
Official Selection
Proudly powered by Weebly