DOCUMENTARIES

ANDREW

DIRECTED BY JONATHAN ADAMSON & SHANNON DOTY
4 1/2 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2017 / USA

Andrew is somewhat verbal and can do most basic self-care tasks, such as bathing and clothing himself. He craves the same independence that his brother and older sister enjoy; however, lack of programming for autistic adults makes transitioning to independent living out of reach.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Directed by Louise Tiranoff
3 min / documentary / 2004 / USA

In this short video, we meet a boy whose little sister has Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. Through a poem he wrote, we see the strong bond that exists between these siblings.

ASCENT

DIRECTED BY REED MARTIN
11 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2019 / USA
Joshua, an 18 year old diagnosed with autism, overcomes his personal struggles while becoming a champion at the sport he loves.

Autism Is A World

Directed by Gerardine Wurzburg
40 min / documentary / 2004 / USA

A documentary on an autistic woman’s inner world, her writing, and the friends she makes while in college.

Autism: A Somali-American Story

DIRECTED BY RACHEL ANTELL & ELLIE PIERCE
11 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2013 / USA

There is no word for “Autism” in the Somali language; yet, in the Somali refugee population of Minnesota, many American-born children are being diagnosed with severe Autism.

Awareness

PRODUCED BY IHC NEW ZEALAND
6 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2010 / NEW ZEALAND

People from all over New Zealand with I/DD share their difficulties and hopes. It might make you think what people’s lives could be like if we focused more on their abilities, rather than their disabilities.

BEING SEEN

DIRECTED BY PAUL ZEHRER
16 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2016 / USA

A combination of funny, acerbic, and heart-wrenching, these people’s candid and articulate self-awareness quickly shatter preconceptions of the disabled. Rather than defining themselves by their diagnosis, individuals (young and old) strive to create meaning, meet adversity, and dream of their futures.

BEN’S FILMING THE MOVIE

DIRECTED BY JACKSON GALLAGHER
7 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2015 / AUSTRALIA

Ben’s Filming The Movie, is about Benjamin Howard, a 14-year-old boy who loves acting and movies. What he likes about acting is “staring at people, keeping his head very still, speaking like an American and acting as a different person.”

Between Sasquatch and Superman

Directed by Perrin Kerns
10 min / documentary / 2010 / USA

Clark, a young man with Down syndrome, seeks to understand his own difference through his obsessive fascination with Sasquatch and Superman.

BEYOND BORDERS

DIRECTED BY BRECHT VANMEIRHAEGHE
20 MIN/ DOCUMENTARY/ 2009 / BELGIUM
SEVERAL LANGUAGES WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES

Beyond Borders is a strong poet mosaic narration representing three people of different ethnic origin having a physical or mental disability. Director Brecht Vanmeirhaeghe captures their gripping life story in an exposing and sensitive way.