Not in Service, an award-winning documentary directed by David Sebastiao, B.A. ’16, MFA ’21, and produced by Silent Media, will be presented at The University of Baltimore on Tuesday, Sept. 29 beginning at 6 p.m. in the Bogomolny Room of the UBalt Student Center, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. The film invites audiences to examine the political, social, and historical forces that have shaped public transportation in Baltimore and across the United States. The screening, free and open to the public, will be followed by a conversation with the filmmaker as well as a dialogue with the audience about transportation in the city. It will be led by Dr. Jennifer Keohane, associate professor in the University’s Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences and director of the undergraduate program in digital communication. Registration for the event is required; details listed below.
In many American cities, public transit has long taken a backseat to highways and automobile infrastructure. Using Baltimore's decades-long pursuit of the Red Line light-rail proposal as its central story, Not in Service explores how political decisions, regional divisions, and decades of disinvestment have contributed to an inequitable transportation system that continues to impact residents today. Featuring interviews with Maryland State Del. Robbyn Lewis, author Dr. Lawrence Brown, journalist Alec McGillis, and transit advocate Samuel Jordan, the documentary presents multiple perspectives on how transit policy intersects with race, economic opportunity, and regional planning. Through personal stories and expert analysis, the film asks what it will take to build a transportation system that serves all communities.
"As Baltimore once again moves forward with the Red Line, this conversation has become more relevant than ever," Sebastiao says. "This film isn't simply about trains or buses—it's about who has access to opportunity, how public investment reflects our priorities, and what kind of future we're choosing to build."
The documentary has attracted attention for its timely examination of Baltimore's transit history, including coverage by Greater Greater Washington, which highlighted the film's exploration of the Red Line's decades-long challenges and their broader implications for transportation policy. It also screened at several regional film festivals, where it earned awards for Best Documentary Short at the Ocean City Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature at the Baltimore Next Media Webfest, and Best Feature Film at the Gaithersburg Film Festival.
Register to attend this event.
The Not in Service screening and dialogue are a presentation of UBalt Votes and the Rosenberg Center for Student Engagement and Inclusion.
Learn more about Not in Service.