***Canadian director Chandler Levack will debut two[1] films on the weekend, with *Mile End Kicks* opening in theaters and *Roommates* launching on Netflix on April 17, 2024[2].***

The dual release underscores the chronic shortage of women‑directed titles, a point activists cite to argue that young women aren’t getting enough directing opportunities in the industry[4].

Levack began writing *Mile End Kicks* at age 27[3]—a period she describes as “like I gave birth to twins.” She said the experience of shepherding two projects to market simultaneously felt both exhilarating and exhausting.

*Mile End Kicks* is a comedy‑drama set in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood, slated for a nationwide theatrical rollout. *Roommates* is a semi‑autobiographical Netflix feature in which Levack said she is “exploring gender envy in a semi‑autobiographical film.” The streaming release will be available globally on the same day the theater run begins.

Industry observers said that having two films launch together is rare for any director, let alone a woman. The AV Club said Levack’s schedule is a vivid illustration of how few women helm multiple projects at once, reinforcing calls for broader support of female filmmakers.

The Toronto Star said the release date is April 17, 2024, a less‑reliable outlet said the year was 2026. The consensus among reputable sources said the 2024 schedule, and the discrepancy has been noted to avoid confusion.

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**What this means** The simultaneous debut of *Mile End Kicks* and *Roommates* puts a spotlight on the systemic under‑representation of women directors in both theatrical and streaming markets. Levack’s achievement may encourage distributors and platforms to back more women‑led projects, potentially shifting the industry’s gender balance over time.

“It's like I gave birth to twins.”

Levack's back‑to‑back releases illustrate how rare it is for a woman to command two major projects at once, highlighting the need for more institutional support for female directors and signaling a possible shift toward greater gender parity in film distribution.