The Devil Is Busy
| The Devil Is Busy | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Directed by |
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| Produced by |
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| Cinematography |
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| Edited by | Tristan Nash |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | HBO Max |
Release date |
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Running time | 31 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Devil Is Busy is a 2024 American documentary short film, directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton. The film presented by HBO Documentary Films, follows Atlanta abortion clinic, which is besieged by protesters.[1][2]
It had its New York premiere on November 14, 2024 in the Short: The American Dreams at Doc NYC along with other three films.[3]
It was shortlisted for the Best Documentary Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.[4][5]
Synopsis
[edit]The film follows Tracii, the head of security at a women’s healthcare clinic in Atlanta, over the course of a single day. As new legal restrictions and constant protests surround the clinic, Tracii works to protect patients seeking abortions and other medical services, including routine checkups and preventive care.
Shot in a cinéma vérité style, the documentary shows the daily safety measures taken by Tracii and the staff, such as checking the building for intruders, coordinating with security guards who escort patients, and using numbered systems to keep identities private. Tracii also shares her own background, supports nervous patients, and deals with protestors who gather outside.
The film offers a direct look at the changing conditions for reproductive healthcare in the United States after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, highlighting the challenges faced by clinics and the people who work to keep patients safe.
Release
[edit]The Devil Is Busy was presented at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 9, 2025,[6][7] and in Featurette Documentary at the Pan African Film Festival on February 13, 2025.[8] It was also screened in the Documentary Shorts 3 at the Sedona International Film Festival on February 27, 2025.[9] It was presented in the Shorts 2 at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival on April 4, 2025,[10] and presented as Part of Documentary Shorts 2025: Program 1 at the RiverRun International Film Festival on April 13, 2025.[11] The next day it was screened at the Florida Film Festival on April 14, 2025.[12]
On May 2, 2025 it was screened at the Atlanta Film Festival in Documentary Short section,[13] and on June 3 at the Brooklyn Film Festival in Documentary Short section.[14]
The film was presented in the Live Shorts section of the 2025 Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films in June 2025,[15]
It had its Philadelphia premiere on August 3, 2025 at the BlackStar Film Festival in Short Documentary.[16]
It was made available to stream on HBO Max on September 23, 2025.[2]
It was presented at the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in documentary shorts on October 15, 2025[17]
Accolades
[edit]| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films | June 29, 2025 | Local Jury Awards: Special Mention | The Devil Is Busy | Won | [18] |
| Audience Award: Best Documentary Short | Won | ||||
| Critics' Choice Documentary Awards | November 9, 2025 | Best Short Documentary | Nominated | [19] | |
| Cinema Eye Honors | January 8, 2026 | Outstanding Non-Fiction Short | Shortlisted | [20][21] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Palm Springs International Film Festival. June 3, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ a b "HBO Original Documentary Short The Devil Is Busy Debuts September 23". Warner Bros. Discovery. September 15, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Doc NYC. November 14, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "98th Oscars Shortlists in 12 Award Categories Announced". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. December 16, 2025. Retrieved December 17, 2025.
- ^ Hilary Lewis, Beatrice Verhoeven (December 16, 2025). "2026 Oscars Shortlists Revealed". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (January 17, 2025). "Santa Barbara Film Festival Sets Full 2025 Program, Will Partner With Direct Relief To Raise Funds For L.A. Wildfires". Deadline. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Program Announcement". SBIFF. January 17, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Pan African Film Festival. February 13, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Sedona International Film Festival. February 27, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. April 4, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". RiverRun International Film Festival. April 13, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Florida Film Festival. April 14, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Atlanta Film Festival Unveils Full Lineup of Official Selections". Atlanta Film Festival. March 24, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Brooklyn Film Festival. June 3, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest announces its lineup". Palm Springs International Film Festival. June 3, 2025. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". BlackStar Film Festival. August 3, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Devil Is Busy". Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. October 15, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "2025 Palm Springs International ShortFest announced its Festival juried and audience award winners". Palm Springs International Film Festival. June 29, 2025. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (October 14, 2025). "'Orwell: 2+2=5' and 'The Perfect Neighbor' Lead Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (November 13, 2025). "Cinema Eye Honors 2026 Nominations: 'Come See Me In The Good Light' Leads Field". Deadline. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (November 13, 2025). "'Come See Me in the Good Light' Tops 2025 Cinema Eye Honors Feature Film Nominations — See Full List". IndieWire. Retrieved December 21, 2025.
