2009 SPROUT FILM FESTIVAL
The Event
1980 Academy Award Winner (short narrative) Board and Care featuring two actors with Down syndrome, will be presented in the Art of Acting Program #7 on Saturday May 2nd 4:30pm.
The Eighth Day (Le Huitieme Jour) was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. The Best Actor Award at the festival was given to both Pascal Duquenne and Daniel Auteuil. This amazing film will be presented in Program 9 on Saturday May 2nd at 7:00pm.
Schedule: Friday May 1
BEING A SPECIAL NEEDS SIBLING
5 min./documentary/2008/USA
An intimate look into the diverse and often unrecognized challenges of being a special needs sibling.
CREATING ROOM IN GOD’S HOUSE
12 min./documentary/2008/USA
A look into the efforts of mosque, church and synagogue to provide a welcoming haven for people with disabilities.
PRAYING FOR LIOR
88 min./documentary/2007/USA
As Lior approaches his Bar Mitzvah, different characters provide a window into his life. Told with intimacy and humor it is a divinely-inspired story.
HER NAME IS SABINE
85 min./documentary/2007/France
Sandrine Bonnaire documents her autistic sister as she considers painful mysteries about family and the passage of time in the process.
WHERE’S MOLLY?
72 min./documentary/2007/USA
When Jeff was 6 years old, his sister Molly, just shy of her 3rd birthday, was taken away. This documentary recounts half a century of time lost between siblings.
Schedule: Saturday May 2
CARL BENTSON: MR. POSITIVE
28 min./documentary/2007/USA
When you see Carl riding his 3-wheeled bicycle and hear the example he sets with his life, you will feel better about the world.
LIFESTYLES OF THE POOR AND UNKNOWN
46 min./documentary/2001/USA
Marni and Chris, married in 1993, live and work in NYC. Aware of their handicaps, they must face people’s prejudices and their own frustrated ambitions.
DISTINCTIVELY
24 min./documentary/2000/USA
A playful unsentimental portrait of Rene, offering insight into his personality and opportunities for him to mug for the camera.
A POSSIBLE DREAM
47 min./documentary/2006/Canada
The film is an intimate portrait of Andrea Friedman and her family. It demonstrates what can be accomplished with laughter, perseverance and love.
CROSSING TAHOE
44 min./documentary/2008/USA
One frosty morning, Karen Gaffney plunged into the dark waters of Lake Tahoe. Her ambitious goal: to be the first woman to swim the nine miles across the lake.
BODY AND SOUL: DIANA & KATHY
40 min./documentary/2007/USA
A rare look at an unusual relationship between two people with disabilities and their tireless activism for the rights of the disabled.
HIGHER GROUND
45 min./documentary/2007/USA
A look into the dedication of direct support workers during and after hurricane Katrina. For months they put others before themselves, providing care and support.
BOARD AND CARE
27 min./narrative/1980/USA
Two young people with Down syndrome strive to have a relationship despite circumstances and the well-meaning plans of their guardians..
ACTING NORMAL
35 min./documentary/2008/USA
A performing arts studio for adults with development disabilities changes the perception of Hollywood casting agents and producers.
WAKE UP JUNIOR
30 min./narrative/2008/USA
Junior felt safe and protected with the girl of his dreams, Cat, a superhero he created. There was no need for family or friends. Or was there?
CHILDREN OF THE STARS
50 min./documentary/2007/China
We follow one family’s progress as they seek help for their severely autistic child, resulting in an extraordinary story of parental love. (English subtitles)
HOW I AM
49 min./documentary/2008/Italy
With wisdom beyond his years, a teenager with autism takes us into his emotional world through the words he types into his computer. (English subtitles)
THE EIGHTH DAY
108 min./narrative/1996/Belgium
An encounter between two people who would never normally meet; a clash between order and anarchy. An overwhelmingly poignant and brilliantly funny film.
STREET ANTHEM
3 min./music video/2005/USA
Hip Hop artist LAZ D performs his inspirational music against the backdrop of the streets of downtown Portland, Oregon.
UPS OF DOWNS
10 min./documentary/2002/UK
Despite being born with Down syndrome, Danny is an artists who lives life to the fullest.
JUST NORMAL
12 min./narrative/2007/UK
The story of a boy obsessed with making wishes. The exciting ending will make audiences think about how they perceive people.
OKAY, LET’S TALK ABOUT ME
26 min./documentary/2004/Australia
The viewer is invited to get to know Eddie, a rare treat, and journey with him through the difficulties of turning 18 and leaving school.
UP SYNDROME
24 min./documentary/2000/USA
A playful unsentimental portrait of Rene, offering insight into his personality and opportunities for him to mug for the camera.
Schedule: Sunday May 3
HOW’S YOUR NEWS?
82 min./documentary/2002/USA
Chronicles the travels of a team of reporters across America. The interactions are sometimes hysterical, sometimes confusing but always honest.
BETWEEN OPTICAL AREA AND AMYGDALA
4 min./narrative/2007/Germany
A unique and artistically made narrative about a young man who assumes that he might Asperger’s Syndrome.
NOW’T AS QUEER AS FOLK
4 min./documentary/2003/UK
This personal film is a fast paced insight into the day-to-day journey of a person with Asperger’s Syndrome.
BEAUTIFUL SON
63 min./documentary/2007/USA
An award winning, deeply profound and beautifully shot film about one family’s struggle to heal their son with autism.
WHERE’S MOLLY?
72 min./documentary/2007/USA
When Jeff was 6 years old, his sister Molly, just shy of her 3rd birthday, was taken away. This documentary recounts half a century of time lost between siblings.
