2010 SPROUT FILM FESTIVAL
The Event
Adjacent to the two screening rooms we will have an exhibit of 25 photographs by Mary Ellen Mark from her book, Extraordinary Child.
Mary Ellen Mark shot this series of photographs in conjunction with a documentary that her husband, Martin Bell, made during the same period. The documentary, Alexander, will be screened in Program #13 on Sunday May 2 at 12pm.
Complimentary coffee and desserts will be available to all festival attendees throughout the weekend.
Schedule: Friday April 30
Our House
83min./documentary/2003/USA
An intimate and original view of human struggle told through the stories of three unique individuals living outside an institution for the first time in years.
HELLO YA’AKOV, HELLO MALKA
23 min./documentary/2001/Israel
At the age of 19, my brother Elad, is leaving home to live in a hostel. Mom and Dad can’t handle him anymore. They also can’t imagine life without him..
CHEERS SMAADI
18 min./documentary/2000/Israel
Smaadi spent her childhood in educational special institutions for the mentally handicapped. When she grew up, she fought to lead an independent life.
I’M READY
15 min./narrative/2008/Israel
The special relationship between an elderly father and his son with Down syndrome breaks down when the father’s memory begins to fail due to Alzheimer’s.
I AM DEKEL
29 min./documentary/1998/Israel
Dekel, a 21-year-old defines himself as an actor, a poet, a dancer and he leads a full, active life. He would, however, like to marry and settle down.
BILLY THE KID
85 min./documentary/2008/USA
A charming, moving and intimate profile of a unique teen, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, that challenges us all to think beyond labels.
THE HORSE BOY
95 min./documentary/2009/USA
An intensely personal yet epic spiritual journey, of one couple and their son with autism as they trek on horseback through Mongolia to find healing for him.
DRONA & ME
19 min./documentary/2009/The Netherlands
A portrait of Drona, a Hindu boy with a autism, as seen through the eyes of his elder brother, Arjun. Others often do not understand him, but Arjun does.
THE WAY SHE IS
28 min./documentary/2009/the Netherlands
Ayse speaks Dutch and Turkish, but she can’t read or write. What’s it like to grow up with a limitation? And what’s it like for the people around her?
ATTENTION SCHOOL
26 min./documentary/2009/Lebanon
An inspiring story of a school started by a woman from South Lebanon in a remote village where little awareness on disability exists.
BEYOND BORDERS
20 min./documentary/2009/Belgium
A strong poetical mosaic narration representing three people of different ethnic origin having a disability. Three unique lives, one universal story.
Schedule: Saturday May 1
BE MY BROTHER
8 min./narrative/2009/Australia
A young man’s charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger. When he impacts on her world, he also impacts on the heart of someone else close by.
CARED WITLESS
11 min./narrative/2007/UK
An independent young man with Down syndrome gives his new counselor from hell the slip.
RODNEY
14 min./narrative/2007/Australia
With unfailing determination, a man with a developmental disability forces his family to understand his perspective of the world he lives in.
BEGIN TO GROW
25 min./narrative/2009/USA
A spiritual guru on a public access television show and an owner of a television network both seek financial enlightenment.
STRANGER HERO 1, 2 & 3
20 min./narrative/2007/UK
Three episodes from an action serial featuring, Stranger Hero, the world’s first kung-fu super hero with Down’s syndrome.
TYING YOUR OWN SHOES
16 min./animated documentary/2009/Canada
An intimate and artful glimpse into the mindsets and emotional lives of four artists with Down syndrome. This film explores how it feels to be a bit unusual.
SHOOTING BEAUTY
62 min./documentary/2009/USA
A photographer takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden world at a day program for people living with disabilities.
DANCING WITH DOWNS
8 min./documentary/2009/Spain
A Madrid dance troop enchants audiences with classical ballet, traditional Spanish dance and music theatre performances.
RUDLEY INTERRUPTED
9 min./documentary/2008/Australia
We follow the exciting and energetic Australian rock band, Rudely Interrupted, as they prepare for a groundbreaking world tour.
CUANDO LA LUNA BLANCA SE PIERDA
16 min./narrative/2004/Spain
“When the white moon is gone” is a surreal trip between the real and the imaginary; characters dance to the rhythm of hope in a world without future.
COCKTAILS WITH BEN
11 min./documentary/2009/USA
Despite severe medical hardships, learning disabilities, and challenges “fitting in” with peers, Ben’s love for life, and for music, shines through.
SMILE AND RUN
13 min./documentary/2008/UK
This film takes a swipe at the low expectations people often have of work by learning disabled artists. A hymn to the arts and the expression beyond mind and body.
TYING YOUR OWN SHOES
16 min./animated documentary/2009/Canada
An intimate and artful glimpse into the mindsets and emotional lives of four artists with Down syndrome. This film explores how it feels to be a bit unusual.
CLAY MARZO: JUST ADD WATER
48 min./documentary/2008/USA
A glimpse into the life and mind of Clay Marzo, winner of 3 National surfing titles, as he comes to understand both the gifts and challenges of living with Aspeger’s.
LET ME BE BRAVE
45 min./documentary/1991/USA
In 1990, a group of 12 young adults with developmental disabilities journey to Africa in an attempt to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak..
THE OTHER CHILD
13 min./documentary/2009/USA
Siblings have a unique window into each other’s world. When one sibling has autism, that window provides a penetrating view into this misunderstood disability.
RACHEL IS
67 min./documentary/2008/USA
While struggling to come to terms with her only sibling’s disability, the filmmaker documents the tug of war between parent and child.
BILLY THE KID
85 min./documentary/2008/USA
A charming, moving and intimate profile of a unique teen, diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, that challenges us all to think beyond labels.
SPARKLE
4 min./documentary/2008/UK
As Matthew becomes Mrs. Sparkle, he shares what the transformation means to him.
BE MY BROTHER
18 min./documentary/2009/USA
A tender portrait of a man pushed to his limits for the love of his son and a haunting rumination on family and community in Appalachia. Based on a true story.
OTTO: LOVE, LUST & LAS VEGAS
57 min./documentary/2007/UK
Otto wants the same things as most 21-year-olds, with sex currently at the top of his list. He is confident, funny, and determined to experience all life has to offer.
Schedule: Sunday May 2
CARMELA
30 min./documentary/2005/Mexico
A life affirming film about a mother with polio and her son with Down syndrome. They manage to survive the challenges that Mexico City offers their extraordinary lives.
ALEXANDER
40 min./documentary/2006/Ireland
The story of a charismatic 11-year-old disabled boy named Alexander and his parents. Their world is filled with many beautiful, emotional, and unexpected moments.
BE MY BROTHER
8 min./narrative/2009/Australia
A young man’s charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger. When he impacts on her world, he also impacts on the heart of someone else close by.
CARED WITLESS
11 min./narrative/2007/UK
An independent young man with Down syndrome gives his new counselor from hell the slip.
RODNEY
14 min./narrative/2007/Australia
With unfailing determination, a man with a developmental disability forces his family to understand his perspective of the world he lives in.
BEGIN TO GROW
25 min./narrative/2009/USA
A spiritual guru on a public access television show and an owner of a television network both seek financial enlightenment.
STRANGER HERO 1, 2 & 3
20 min./narrative/2007/UK
Three episodes from an action serial featuring, Stranger Hero, the world’s first kung-fu super hero with Down’s syndrome.
DANCING WITH DOWNS
8 min./documentary/2009/Spain
A Madrid dance troop enchants audiences with classical ballet, traditional Spanish dance and music theatre performances.
RUDLEY INTERRUPTED
9 min./documentary/2008/Australia
We follow the exciting and energetic Australian rock band, Rudely Interrupted, as they prepare for a groundbreaking world tour.
CUANDO LA LUNA BLANCA SE PIERDA
16 min./narrative/2004/Spain
“When the white moon is gone” is a surreal trip between the real and the imaginary; characters dance to the rhythm of hope in a world without future.
COCKTAILS WITH BEN
11 min./documentary/2009/USA
Despite severe medical hardships, learning disabilities, and challenges “fitting in” with peers, Ben’s love for life, and for music, shines through.
SMILE AND RUN
13 min./documentary/2008/UK
This film takes a swipe at the low expectations people often have of work by learning disabled artists. A hymn to the arts and the expression beyond mind and body.
TYING YOUR OWN SHOES
16 min./animated documentary/2009/Canada
An intimate and artful glimpse into the mindsets and emotional lives of four artists with Down syndrome. This film explores how it feels to be a bit unusual.
THE HORSE BOY
95 min./documentary/2009/USA
An intensely personal yet epic spiritual journey, of one couple and their son with autism as they trek on horseback through Mongolia to find healing for him.
