Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome
Films featuring people with Down syndrome
This diverse collection of films all feature people with Down syndrome. With music videos, feature-length films, documentaries, narratives, animations and more, these films curated from 18 countries offer a wide selection of creative projects all showcasing this population.
Acting Normal (35 min)
If acting wasn’t a hard enough job to land, throw in being disabled and see what reaction you’d get.
3:15 to Brunswick (3 min)
This whimsical short film captures a romantic moment of connection between two people waiting for a train that never arrives.
33 Giri (13 min)
A man with Down syndrome dreams of reviving his dead mother. An expressive story, driven by visual poetry.
46/47 (6 min)
Daniel is different. He’s missing something. He only has 46 chromosomes where 47 should be.
A Different Kind of Day (5 min)
An encounter between 2 young adults with Down Syndrome and a group of youths, has unexpected consequences.
3rd Son, Fourth Brother (2½ min)
Another unique Cam Lasley hip hop music video. “We got each others back – until the day we drop – and we never gonna stop.”
About Brothers (4 min)
A music video for the band, Delay Treesby, starring and featuring the artwork of director Teemu Erämaa’s brother, Tomi.
Freefall (4½ min)
Lovely, simple, and compelling, this film highlights the work of a dance company consisting of people with intellectual disabilities.
Go For It (2 min)
Hip-hop artist Cam Lasley – “Every night I go to sleep – I see visions in my dream – It could be reality – If I would just go for it.”
Hannah (5½ min)
Explore the playful ambition of Hannah Dempsey, a young dancer and athlete with Down syndrome.
Happiest Day (5 min)
The film follows a bride and groom’s various journeys on the morning of their wedding, with an expected twist.
Heart Eyes (6½ min)
A high school student with Down syndrome pursues her crush in hopes of securing a date for the Valentine’s Day Dance.
Heartbreak & Beauty (14 min)
A short, experimental film depicting 12 different perspectives on universal, human emotions – all revolving around ‘love’.
Hold Me Down (1½ min)
A poem by Cam Lasley, a hip-hop artist with Down syndrome, is performed/recited by Marlon Foster, a young man with an I/DD.
Hold My Hand (17 min)
Explore the significance of difference and equality in the life of Eliza, a 20 year old woman living with Down syndrome.
How’s Your News? Ohio & Florida (29 min)
The How’s Your News? team follows the 2004 presidential campaign trail from Ohio to Florida leading up to the election.
How’s Your News? On the Campaign Trail (25 min)
The “How’s Your News?” crew are at it again with their insightful and hilarious coverage of the 2004 Presidential campaign.
I Don’t Care (14 min)
Ollie, a young mother-to-be, faces the possibility of having a child with Down’s syndrome.
I Love Grilled Cheese (4 min)
Libby provides some insight about the joys of living with her best friend, and big brother, Max, who has Down syndrome.
I Wish (1½ min)
A poem written by Emily Meek in which she states a variety of her wishes. A Sproutflix Production.
I’m a Ghost (30 min)
During an emotional time in his life Jimmy is enrolled at a boarding school. While there he gets a crush on a waitress and meets a ghost.
I’m Painting Some Imagination (14 min)
This is a portrait of two artists with intellectual disabilities who use their art to express themselves and reflect the world as they see it.
In Your Dreams Boy (17½ min)
Bobby and his brother Luke are looking for love… A comic look at the perils of dating with and without an intellectual disability.
Ingrid’s Big Jump (10 min)
Ingrid’s big goal is to hang glide. Her journey to the edge of the precipice took hard work, perseverance and character.
Jabaluu (3½ min)
A music video by Station 17- a collection of musicians from a Hamburg community of people with developmental disabilities.
Jack Blond (12 min)
Jack Blond is a regular guy with Down syndrome who idolizes James Bond.
Jacob’s Turn (8 min)
An inspirational short documentary about a boy with Down syndrome and his love of baseball.
Jimmy (2 min)
Two kids on a merry-go-round, one is “normal”, the other has Down syndrome.
Kill Off (15 min)
A vivacious woman forms an unlikely friendship with a Sudanese refugee through their love of the street dance, KRUMP.
King of Camp (41 min)
A tale about Viru, a self-proclaimed music buff, and how he survived his first day at summer camp. A Sproutflix Production.
Learning to Drive (19 min)
During a road trip, Michael, a young man with Down syndrome, is determined to convince his brother to teach him how to drive.
Lonely Road (2½ min)
A song from hip hop artist Cam Lasley’s 4th album. At the age of 31, Cam begins writing songs that reflect becoming a man.
Love You Till I Die (2½ min)
Rudely Interrupted, an independent rock group with 3 of the 4 members living with disabilities, releases their 5th studio project.
Love, Trails & Dinosaurs (8½ min)
Experience the loving relationship of a mother and her adult son as they hike 900 miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Lydian’s Space (3 min)
An insight into the life of Lydian Dunbar an electronic music artist who also works in theatre and creates cross platform artwork.
Making Waves (6 min)
In this story, Max is the principal dancer in a choreographed work that is inspired by the watery world of his dreams.
Man Without Direction (15 min)
Lost to himself and the world, Mr. D is drawn into a world of long corridors, lethal waitresses and talk show hosts.
Free (73 min)
Free follows the path to freedom of people with intellectual disabilities that are locked away in Croatian institutions.
Marina’s Ocean (17 min)
A group of students are preparing a special trip to the beach. Marina, a 15-year-old girl has a strong wish to visit the sea for the first time.
Meet the Rap Group (8 min)
An introduction to Zulu P, a group of four rappers with developmental challenges who create some wild beats.
Miriam (15½ min)
Miriam lives in a home share, supported by a woman named Annie. Annie controls most of Miriam’s life.
Music & Clowns (7½ min)
Jamie has a learning disability and despite being close to nonverbal, he demonstrates charisma, humor and emotional sensitivity.
Navigation (4 min)
A modern dance performance – every human faces different situations; some in favor of and others against the tide.
Not A Wallflower (7 min)
Living with autism is of no consequence for Ben, except when it comes to his boss and finding love.
Offense Taken (26 min)
When a Minneapolis theater company put on a show titled “Rise of the Celebretards,” people with disabilities took action.
Okay, Let’s Talk About Me (26 min)
Meet Eddie. He’s a seventeen-year-old boy with Down’s syndrome. He’s stubborn and charming, funny and sometimes temperamental.
One Fine Day (7 min)
Travel through an imagined world in this short dance film as it presents a collection of rhythmic and witty scenarios.
Our House (83 min)
Laura, Tim W and Tim S were born with developmental disabilities and are now living outside an institution for the first time.
Out of Our Minds (52 min)
A theatre group prepares for a large-scale spectacle, to be staged in a stadium for an audience of 5,000 people.
Floating Boy (7 min)
“Floating Boy” is the story of a young man who wants to fly. His father, wanting the best for his boy, wants him to stay grounded.
Filters (9½ min)
Kira, a bright and stylish young woman living with Down syndrome, compares herself to social media influencer, Chantal.
Fighter (7 min)
Ten minutes before a boxing match, a teenage boxer with Down syndrome fights for his right to get in the ring.
Fair Play (56 min)
Actors with learning disabilities rehearse an acclaimed play by Claire Luckham, “The Choice”, a play about abortion.
Extra Ordinary (5 min)
A glimpse into the lives of two young individuals with Down syndrome living happy and fulfilling lives.
Drumming Is Like Thunder (3½ min)
Duncan’s showmanship and determination to defy the bullying and fulfill his dream to perform in major cities around the globe.
Drag Syndrome (9½ min)
Drag is about transformation. It’s about freedom of expression. But “Drag Syndrome” goes a step further.
Downtown (54 min)
Showcases the work of a photographer who featured people with Down syndrome in a high fashion photo spread.
Down to Be Up (7 min)
An uplifting and courageous glimpse into a young woman with Down syndrome and her daily struggles.
Down in Number 5 (18 min)
Coal miner Carl Short lives with his 40-year old son Sammy, who has Down syndrome. Who will take care of Sammy?
Distinctively (4 min)
Identical twins born only three minutes apart are separated by a large distinction: Ella has Down syndrome while Eavan does not.
Difference is Normal (3 min)
A unique music video from Lebanon with a universal message of acceptance and tolerance.
Determined to Dance (15 min)
Portrait-in-motion of a troupe of young adult dancers with Down syndrome.
Play. Stop. Rewind. (16 min)
On the day of their mother’s funeral, Dani finds his brother Joel, a boy with special needs, hiding under the bed.
Rainbow Connection (19 min)
Eugene, a teenage boy with Down syndrome, who is fascinated with rainbow mythology, has always felt like an outsider looking in.
Dennis’ Revenge (4 min)
A crazy night out for a hardcore man with Down syndrome and all his friends! Please note: contains adult content.
Dennis (6 min)
The story of a man who copes with his disability by living through his dreams.
Debbie Dreams (2 min)
This animation is a dream sequence of Debbie, a young woman with Down syndrome.
Dancing With Downs (8 min)
Madrid dance troop Danza Down enchants audiences with classical ballet, traditional Spanish dance and musical theatre performances.
Cuando La Luna Se Pierda (16 min)
A trip between the real and the imaginary as characters dance to the rhythm of hope in a world without future.
Close My Eyes (2½ min)
A sweeping music video that so slowly and cleverly reveals the characters behind this slice of pitch perfect indie pop.
Cuenta Conmigo (9 min)
In Cuba, a group of mothers bring their children with Down syndrome to perform with joy and verve in a park for a public audience.
Celeste (6 min)
Social butterfly, fun-loving, theatrical Celeste enjoys watching back episodes of her favorite soap operas.
Check Out (10 min)
A short comedy about Kelly and Allison, who find out that the best friendships blossom when they are most needed.
Cassilly: How I Got to College (20 min)
A woman who has overcome barriers and whose participation in a community college has enhanced the quality of her life.
Cared Witless (10 min)
Glen, a young man with Down syndrome, played by David Miller, goes on a shopping trip with a personal assistant from hell.
Cam Lasley: the Man Himself (5 min)
A look into the life and talent of hip-hop artist Cam Lasley.
Ruggero (14 min)
‘Ruggero’ is a comedy that shows that love is not a matter of ability – it is a matter of fortune.
Solo in the Wild – A Safe Place to Rest (4½ min)
Moments of abandon letting go and enjoying the sensations of the forest, finally resting and being held by the forest.
Solo in the Wild – Always Here (5½ min)
A daily visit to a tree, a wish, and an outpouring. Erika created this solo during a residency in the woods of Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Solo in the Wild – Let Go (5½ min)
A journey mapping life’s up and downs along the length of a tree branch, finding moments of serendipity, anger and letting go.
Solo in the Wild – The Composer (5½ min)
The composer listens, finds his place, and dances with the world. Shot in the beautiful woods of Pembrokeshire, Wales.
Stepping Out (48 min)
A unique group of performers with intellectual disabilities prepare for their first public performance at the Sydney Opera House.
Stranger Hero (18 min)
“Stranger Hero” is an action serial featuring the world’s first kung-fu super hero with Down’s syndrome.
Street Anthem (3 min)
Hip Hop artist Cam Lasley performs against the backdrop of crime scenes, parking garages and the streets of Portland, Oregon.
Strong Love (59 min)
The story of world-class weight lifter Jon Shapiro and his childhood sweetheart Holly James.
Super (6 min)
Follow a team of superheroes as they bring new life into a supermarket on the verge of going out of business.
Superman Vampire Hunter (6 min)
Clark is working on a newspaper article when he gets a call from his aunt about strange happenings at The Lake of the Woods.
The Battle (3 min)
20 year-old artist Kayah Guenther explores his strength and masculinity through dance.
The Eighth Day (108 min)
A chance encounter between Georges and Harry sets the scene for a carefully crafted examination of love, loss and life rediscovery.
The Fine Art of Being Zion (4 min)
Through the lens of Down syndrome, Zion captures the heart and soul of his family, nature and friends on canvas and ceramics.
By Any Other Name (15 min)
One day the monotony of Jared’s life is up-ended when he meets his pretty new co-worker Marissa.
The Interviewer (13 min)
Thomas gets more than he bargained for in his interview at a law firm; a chance to change the lives of a father and son.
The Kiss (1 min)
A short film using the camera invented by the Lumiere Brothers. Made by Jaco Van Dormael, the director of “The Eighth Day”
Bubba Lou (14 min)
After the death of a close friend, a woman with Down syndrome goes looking for her brother.
Bright Simple (5 min)
The story of a unique art studio which gives artistic and cultural opportunities to artists with disabilities.
Bread Makers (11 min)
At an Edinburgh bakery, a community of workers makes a variety of organic breads for delivery to shops in the city.
Board and Care (27 min)
A 1980 Academy Award winner starring 2 young people with Down syndrome. This drama focuses on their desire to have a relationship.
The Misunderstood Love (15 min)
The film deals with disability, emphasizing how ephemeral is the distinction between normal and different, when related to love.
Beyond Borders (20 min)
A strong mosaic narration representing three people of different ethnic origin having a physical or mental disability.
Between Sasquatch and Superman (10 min)
Clark seeks to understand his own difference through his fascination with Sasquatch and Superman.
Best Friend (6½ min)
The story of Deirdre, a young girl from New York struggling to accept Los Angeles as her new home.
Beautiful (17 min)
Two people with disabilities navigate through the challenges they’re faced with when their relationship is displayed in public.
Being Seen (16 min)
Funny and heart-wrenching – peoples’ candid and articulate self-awareness quickly shatter preconceptions of the disabled.
Be My Brother (9 min)
A young man’s charm and charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger at a bus stop.
The Park Bench (11 min)
A silent Felliniesque film about a man who decides to go to the park to relax. There he finds himself in an unusual circumstance.
The Social Club (20 min)
A tale of love, money, the mob, the FBI and a 1968 Chrysler 300 convertible. A Sproutflix Production.
The Secret Life of Tom Lightfoot (10 min)
Tom holds a secret in his human heart; a wing beat and a flutter, and it’s bursting to take flight in this tale of magical realism.
The Teachings of Jon (57 min)
An insightful and soul-touching film about Jon, a 40-year old man, severely and profoundly affected by Down syndrome.
The Ups of Downs (10 min)
Shows how independent and informed a young man with Down syndrome can be. The film gives a glimpse into a life to be proud of.
Time For A Change (5 min)
This auto-biographical documentary follows the filmmaker as he bids farewell to the housing he has lived in for eight years.
To My Future Child (4½ min)
Rachel writes a letter to her future children describing her experiences of caring for her big brother.
Travels With My Brother (16 min)
This live-action/animated documentary explores the relationship between Vas and his older sister Christine.
Trunk and Basement (2½ min)
Hip-hop artist Cam Lasley: “I see it on TV – hear it on the radio – what’s a little boy to do?”
Up Syndrome (24 min)
A playful and unsentimental portrait of Rene, a young man with Down syndrome, made by his close friend Duane Graves.
Ups & Downs (9 min)
After a teenage house party goes too far, a bullied boy is forced to take the reins and look after the bully: his brother.
Ups Not Downs (10 min)
“Ups Not Downs” shows how one family in the UK deals with day-to-day life with a child with Down syndrome.
Visible (3 min)
A teenage girl who feels left out and ignored by her peers, is inspired to do something audacious in order to get noticed.
Watching Over (3 min)
Del Rae attends church, volunteers and participates in water aerobics. She also takes care of two women with Down syndrome.
What Was It Like? (15 min)
Young adults interview their parents about what it was like when they were children.
Wojtek (2½ min)
Wojtek is a Star Wars fan with dreams of becoming a pilot. Together with his dad they achieve what only a few accomplish.
Yolk (14½ min)
A coming of age tale takes on new depth as a girl learns about love, sex and looking out for those who need protection.
Your Rocky Spine (5 min)
Three couples travel towards a destination, by foot, by road and by motorbike across a beautiful landscape.
Against These Walls (3 min)
The music video of the title track from hip hop artist Cam Lasley’s 2012 album, ‘Against These Walls’.