Ordinary women with
extraordinary stories.

Simple Jane Films is a female-led production company committed to developing bold, meaningful stories with heart. We specialize in content development, creative consulting, team-building, and distribution strategy. Whether it’s a powerful biopic or a feel-good rom-com, every story we tell is designed to connect, uplift, and stay with audiences long after the credits roll.

Meet the Simple Janes

Ashley Bratcher
CEO & PRODUCER

Ashley Bratcher is the founder and CEO of Simple Jane Films, as well as a producer, screenwriter, and award-winning actress. She is best known for her leading role in the box office hit Unplanned, which premiered at number four during its opening weekend.

Through Simple Jane Films, Ashley develops and produces character-driven feature films with a focus on compelling true stories, socially resonant narratives, and commercially accessible entertainment. Her work spans development, financing, packaging, production, and the creative and strategic oversight of projects from concept through execution.

Shelby Kelley
FOUNDING PARTNER

Shelby Kelley is a founding partner of Simple Jane Films, as well as a producer and entrepreneur with a background in media, storytelling, and brand development. Shelby is also the founder and CEO of Next Town Over, an editorial and travel-focused media platform celebrating the people, businesses, destinations, and stories that make small-town America special.

As a founding member of Simple Jane Films, Shelby remains an important part of the company’s story and its commitment to meaningful, audience-driven storytelling. Her past work includes HGTV’s Bargain Mansions and Small Town Christmas for UPtv.

SIMPLE JANE FILMS

SLATE

FRANKIE

In early 1960s Washington, Dr. Frances Kelsey, a determined doctor, wife, and mother battles a pharmaceutical giant to become the unlikely catalyst to stop a growing national tragedy and forever change the course of American medicine. Based on a true story.

Narrative Feature: Biopic, Historical, Drama
Director: Ellen Kuras
Producers: Lisa Bruce (Darkest Hour, The Theory of Everything), Ashley Bratcher (Unplanned), Mark Fincannon (The Blind Side, Ray, The Patriot)

BEYOND THE CROWN

Haunted by a traumatic event, a teenage girl escapes into the glamorous world of international pageants. But as her star rises, she must confront the past she's been running from to find true self-worth. Inspired by a true story.

Narrative Feature: Biopic, Historical, Drama
Status: Development
Producers: Tiffany FitzHenry (Mary, Hershey), Autumn Bailey (On A Wing and a Prayer, Billy Knight), Ashley Bratcher (Unplanned), Tracy Leeward Kuipers (Makin' It!)

TRAVEL BALL

When two brothers reluctantly take over their sons’ struggling Little League team, they're soon thrust into the wildly competitive world of travel baseball, where old rivalries, over-the-top parents, expensive gear, and the obsession with winning threaten to take all the fun out of the game.

Narrative Feature: Comedy, Family
Producers: Ashley Bratcher, Josh Mancuso, Aaron Fullan

THE MERRYTIME MATCHMAKER

A world traveling bachelor receives a desperate plea to come home for the holidays and gets more than the Christmas gift he bargained for. He must take over as the quaint surf town's infamous matchmaker to make a match before Christmas. Based on the book A Match Made at Christmas by NYT Bestselling Author Courtney Walsh.

Narrative Feature: Romance, Comedy, Holiday
Cast: Jonathan Stoddard (The Young and the Restless, Finding Faith) Ashley Bratcher (Unplanned, Finding Faith)
Director: Ron Fallica
Producer: Ashley Bratcher
Distributor: Hawk Hill Pictures

SAMPLE BABIES

An exploration of the thalidomide scandal in America and those affected, 60 years later and still seeking justice.

Documentary: Social Justice, Impact
Status: Filming
Producer: Ashley Bratcher

LIKE I'M DYING

Given two weeks to live, a jingle writer sets out on an adventure prompted by her ex to do all the things she put off to climb the corporate ladder.

Narrative Feature: Romance, Comedy
Producer: Ashley Bratcher

Consulting Services

Simple Jane Films offers tailored consulting services from script to screen and everything in between. Below are some of our previous clients:

Daniel

A biblical epic based on the book of Daniel. Starring: Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Produced by: Daniel Kooman (She Has A Name), Matthew Kooman (She Has A Name), Travis Mann (Reagan, I Can Only Imagine)

Consulting Producer:
Ashley Bratcher