The intersection of chronic illness and cinematic storytelling has rarely been handled with the nuance it deserves — but a new independent film aims to change that. Quarter, a coming-of-age comedy-drama built around the lived experience of Type 1 diabetes, is set to debut in New York theaters this November, just one day before World Diabetes Day.
NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — A film by Arnon Manor and Kelsey Bascom, starring Kelsey Bascom, Ali Wentworth, Brooke Shields, and Raven-Symoné, and executive produced by Brooke Shields, is releasing theatrically beginning November 13th at Cinema Village in New York, timed to World Diabetes Day on November 14th.
25 has its highs and lows. Literally.
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“Most narrative films or TV shows that incorporate Type 1 diabetes either misinterpret or overdramatize it, and we want this film to feel real… a normal person with an abnormal autoimmune disease. It’s all very personal.”
— Writer, Co-Director & Star Kelsey Bascom
Directed by: Arnon Manor & Kelsey Bascom
Written by: Kelsey Bascom
Based on her own experiences as a young woman living with Type 1 diabetes
Produced by: Arnon Manor
Executive Produced by: Brooke Shields
Starring:
Kelsey Bascom (“Mondays”)
Ali Wentworth (“Nightcap,” Jerry Maguire)
Raven-Symoné (“That’s So Raven”)
Breckin Meyer (Clueless, Garfield)
Brooke Shields (Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields)
Nick Creegan (“Law & Order: Organized Crime”)
Tati Gabrielle (“You”, Uncharted)
Brec Bassinger (“Stargirl”, Final Destination)
Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, Babylon)
Matty Cardarople (“Stranger Things”)
Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers)
Dot-Marie Jones (“Glee”, Bros)
Derek Theler (“Baby Daddy”)
Arden Myrin (“Righteous Gemstones”)
Gavin Lewis (“Shrinking”)
At its heart, Quarter follows Kelly, a young woman managing Type 1 diabetes, as she confronts the chaos of her blood sugar and her relationships in the days before turning 25 — a milestone that carries extra weight when your body keeps its own unpredictable schedule.
Lily Hunt
Falco Ink
LilyHunt@FalcoInk.com
Why it matters: By grounding the story in Bascom’s own diagnosis, Quarter offers a rare opportunity for audiences to see a chronic condition portrayed with authenticity rather than melodrama. The film’s theatrical release timed to World Diabetes Day also signals a growing push for mainstream media to represent health experiences honestly — a shift that could resonate far beyond the screen for the millions living with diabetes.
