Sprout Film Festival 2011
THE EVENT
The 2011 Sprout Film Festival features 50 unique films from 16 different countries! Complimentary coffee and desserts will be available to all festival attendees throughout the weekend.
Adjacent to the two screening rooms we will have an exhibit of 15 photographs by Dania Maxwell from her collection, Distinctively.
SCHEDULE: FRIDAY APRIL 29
ANITA
104 min./narrative/2009/Argentina
The kindness of strangers is put to the test as a woman with Down syndrome tries to reunite with her family following a terrorist attack in Buenos Aires. (in Spanish with English subtitles)
ALONE IN A CROWDED ROOM
55 min./documentary/2010/Australia
Alone in a Crowded Room explores the line between the ability and disability and takes us beyond our preconceptions of autism, one of the most mysterious and challenging disorders of our time.
RAINMAN GOES TO ROCKWIZ
30 min./documentary/2010/Australia
Mark is a nearly blind recluse with Asperger’s syndrome. Can he break out of his constrictive routine and show his amazing music chart recall on a live TV quiz show?
HOW’S YOUR NEWS? – CAMPAIGN TRAIL
27 min./documentary/2005/USA
The world famous “How’s Your News?” crew are at it again with their insightful and, often times, hilarious coverage of the 2004 Democratic and Republican presidential conventions.
HOW’S YOUR NEWS? – MTV
54 min./documentary/2009/USA
Our team of reporters drive across America documenting their experiences, which includes everything from covering the red carpet at the Grammys to performing at the SXSW music festival.
FAIR PLAY
56 min./documentary/2008/USA
Fair Play is a documentary about the production of a play dealing with the topic of abortion, and the journey of the actors whose own lives are in conflict with the characters they portray.
WE’RE NORMALLY DIFFERENT
67 min./documentary/2006/the Netherlands
The film attempts to transport the viewer into the lives of four actors with learning difficulties and give a perspective on a community often viewed from a distance. (in Dutch with English subtitles)
BYE
10 min./documentary/2010/USA
Follow Jayden, a two and half year old diagnosed with autism, through his first months of school in the Bronx.
DAD’S IN HEAVEN WITH NIXON
87 min./documentary/2010/USA
A touching film about a close, multigenerational family and their struggles with mental illness, alcoholism, and autism. In spite of all these difficulties, the family’s bond shines through.
Filmmakers Marta Dzido and Piotr Sliwowski from “Downtown” will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
CHANGING FACES
52 min./documentary/1998/UK
The film follows the family of child, born with Down Syndrome, through three surgical procedures, one of which was to remove the ‘slanginess characteristic’ of her eyes, before she reached five years old.
DOWNTOWN
54 min./documentary/2010/Poland
Downtown showcases the work of Polish photographer Oiko Petersen, who decided to feature people with Down’s syndrome in a high fashion photo spread. (in Polish with English subtitles)
SCHEDULE: SATURDAY APRIL 30
Filmmaker David Midell from “By Any Other Name” will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmakers Tim and Mike Rauch from “Q&A” will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Anthony Di Salvo, founder and executive director of Sprout and director of “Poetic Shorts” along with some of the actors featured in the shorts will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
CHAMPION
2 min./documentary/2010/Canada
A short documentary on Michael Yang, an amazing young athlete who has won a hand full of gold medals, and has even broken world records at the Special Olympics.
BE GOOD TO EDDIE LEE
13 min./narrative/2010/USA
A short film that follows the adventures of Eddie Lee, Christi and Jim as they learn the true meaning of friendship and the value that it’s really what’s inside that counts.
Q&A
4 min./animation/2010/USA
Joshua, who has Asperger’s syndrome, interviewed his mother, Sarah, at StoryCorps. Their conversation covered everything from cockroaches to Sarah’s feelings about Joshua as a son.
JACK BLOND
12 min./narrative/2008/UK
Jack Blond is a regular guy with Down syndrome who idolizes James Bond. When a priceless diamond comes to town, he gets the chance to prove he’s as good as his hero.
BY ANY OTHER NAME
15 min./narrative/2010/USA
One day the monotony of Jared’s life is up-ended when he meets his pretty new co-worker Marissa. Before they know it, they develop a close friendship, one unlike either of them have ever experienced.
BREADMAKERS
11 min./documentary/2007/Scotland
A film revealing intricate social relationships that operate in a community of workers with learning disabilities making a variety of organic breads for daily delivery to shops in Edinburgh.
A SHORT FILM ABOUT ASPERGER SYNDROME
9 min./animation/2007/UK
Through animation and audio, young people with AS explain what it is and express how they feel about it. They give personal insight, achieved through the use of these creative mediums and techniques.
THE THIRD PARENT
10 min./poetry videos/2010/USA
A series of short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by a young adult with developmental disabilities.
Filmmakers Dania Maxwell from “Distinctively” will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Geoffrey Kappenberg of “Finding Fred” along with Allan & Fred Goldstein, the subjects of his film, will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
FINDING FRED
10 min./documentary/2010/USA
Finding Fred shows the development of love, admiration and enormous devotion between two brothers once separated by the Willowbrook State School, an institution for “children with mental retardation”.
BEING A SPECIAL NEEDS SIBLING
5 min./documentary/2005/USA
A child whose sister or brother has a disability also has his or her own “special needs”. This piece captures the diverse and often unrecognized challenges of being a special needs sibling.
DEEDAH
25 min./documentary/2009/USA
An honest, touching and often humorous account of a seven-year-old girl’s relationship with her six-year-old brother, who has Down syndrome – or as he calls it – “Up!” syndrome.
THE THIRD PARENT
6 min./documentary/2006/USA
The relationship between an eleven-year-old girl and her five-year-old non-verbal autistic brother raises awareness not only about autism’s impact on the family, but also about a family’s need for societal support.
BE MY BROTHER
9 min./narrative/2009/Australia
A young man’s charm and charisma challenges the prejudices of a stranger at a bus stop.
MY LITTLE BROTHER FROM THE MOON
6 min./animation/2008/France
A young girl tries to understand why her little brother, who has autism, is not like the other children and gives her version of the facts. (in French with English subtitles)
DISTINCTIVELY
4 min./documentary/2010/USA
Ella and Eavan, both age 6, are identical twins, yet are separated by a large distinction. Ella has Down syndrome while Eavan does not.
SIBLINGS
10 min./documentary/2003/Canada
A touching look inside the world of those who have grown up with a sibling who is intellectually challenged and how this relationship has had a profound effect on their lives.
THE OTHER CHILD
13 min./documentary/2009/USA
Brothers and sisters have a unique window into each other’s world. When one of the siblings has autism, that window provides a penetrating view into this fascinating and often misunderstood disability.
MUNDO ALAS
90 min./documentary/2009/Argentina
A road movie. This unique film, that intends to include everyone, is a wonderful musical experience about overcoming difficulties and about love. (in Spanish with English subtitles)
JIMMY
2 min./music video/1998/Brazil
Two kids on a merry-go-round, one is “normal”, the other has Down syndrome. As you get to know their daily activities, you conclude the obvious, but the ending is a significant surprise.
HANDS AWAY
3 min./music video/2004/Germany
People often express joy through movements. The clip does not only represent the visualization of the song Hands Away but is at the same time a study of the way young people with various handicaps dance.
STREET ANTHEM
3 min./music video/2006/USA
Hip Hop artist LAZ D performs his inspirational music against the backdrop of crime scenes, parking garages, and the streets of downtown Portland, Oregon.
TRUNK & BASEMENT
2.5 min./music video/2009/USA
Hip Hop artist LAZ D: I see it on TV, hear it on the radio, what’s a little boy to do?
GO FOR IT
2 min./music video/2009/USA
Hip Hop artist LAZ D: every night I go to sleep, I see visions in my dream, it could be reality – if I would just go for it.
3RD SON, FOURTH BROTHER
2.5 min./music video/2009/USA
Hip Hop artist LAZ D: we got each others back, until the day we drop, and we never gonna stop.
CLOSE MY EYES
2.5 min./music video/2010/Australia
A music video by one of Australia’s most celebrated bands, Rudely Interrupted, an independent rock group with five of the six members living with various disabilities.
RUDELY INTERRUPTED
56 min./documentary/2009/Australia
This documentary is a fly on the wall look at the rock band, Rudely Interrupted, on tour and the different struggles they face to ultimately overcome their challenges and create rock’n’roll history!
Filmmaker Kavery Kaul of Back Walking Forward will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Program 11 is SOLD OUT.
JERRY’S STORY
5 min./documentary/2009/USA
Bicyclist Jerry sustained a TBI during an afternoon bike ride. “I think the helmet saved my life because it was pretty smashed up, but that would have been my skull if it wasn’t the helmet.” See how his life changed.
JOSH’S STORY
4.5 min./documentary/2009/USA
A night out with friends changed Josh’s life forever when a drunk driving accident lift him with TBI. Watch and listen as Josh and his mom relive the accident and the times since.
MARTIN THE GHOST
25 min./documentary/2009/Norway
Martin is severely brain damaged due to a car accident, and can no longer move or speak. Martin used to live life in the fast lane. Now he’s working as a ghost. (in Norwegian with Englisih subtitles)
BACK WALKING FORWARD
50 min./documentary/2010/USA
A car accident left high school senior Eric with traumatic brain injury. On the unpredictable road to recovery, suddenly wheelchair-bound, Eric struggles to relearn everything. His family must redefine happiness.
FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE
90 min./documentary/2009/USA
For Once In My Life is a documentary about a unique band of singers an musicians, and their journey to show the world the greatness – and killer soundtrack – within each of them.
YO TAMBIEN
103 min./narrative/2009/Spain
A college graduate with Down’s syndrome falls in love with a colleague. The film is sharp, convincing, humorous and moving – and makes you think.
Schedule: Sunday May 1
Filmmaker David Midell from “By Any Other Name” will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Anthony Di Salvo, founder and executive director of Sprout and director of “Poetic Shorts” along with some of the actors featured in the shorts will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
CHAMPION
2 min./documentary/2010/Canada
A short documentary on Michael Yang, an amazing young athlete who has won a hand full of gold medals, and has even broken world records at the Special Olympics.
BE GOOD TO EDDIE LEE
13 min./narrative/2010/USA
A short film that follows the adventures of Eddie Lee, Christi and Jim as they learn the true meaning of friendship and the value that it’s really what’s inside that counts.
Q&A
4 min./animation/2010/USA
Joshua, who has Asperger’s syndrome, interviewed his mother, Sarah, at StoryCorps. Their conversation covered everything from cockroaches to Sarah’s feelings about Joshua as a son.
JACK BLOND
12 min./narrative/2008/UK
Jack Blond is a regular guy with Down syndrome who idolizes James Bond. When a priceless diamond comes to town, he gets the chance to prove he’s as good as his hero.
BY ANY OTHER NAME
15 min./narrative/2010/USA
One day the monotony of Jared’s life is up-ended when he meets his pretty new co-worker Marissa. Before they know it, they develop a close friendship, one unlike either of them have ever experienced.
BREADMAKERS
11 min./documentary/2007/Scotland
A film revealing intricate social relationships that operate in a community of workers with learning disabilities making a variety of organic breads for daily delivery to shops in Edinburgh.
A SHORT FILM ABOUT ASPERGER SYNDROME
9 min./animation/2007/UK
Through animation and audio, young people with AS explain what it is and express how they feel about it. They give personal insight, achieved through the use of these creative mediums and techniques.
THE THIRD PARENT
10 min./poetry videos/2010/USA
A series of short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by a young adult with developmental disabilities.
NEL GIARDINO DEI SUONI
86 min./documentary/2010/Switzerland
“In the Garden of Sound” is a touching, poetic exploration of the relationship between mind, body and sound, and a cinematic journey to the borders of communication. (in Italian and Swiss German with English subtitles)
WRETCHES & JABBERERS
94 min./documentary/2010/USA
Two men with autism embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability and intelligence. Determined to put a new face on autism, they travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland.
FRANCES AND ANNIE
8 min./narrative/2010/Australia
When a young woman drops by to greet her new neighbors, her preconceptions of who is responsible for a horrendous tragedy hinges on a face and a note.
ANDERS & HARRI
13 min./documentary/2008/Sweden
Anders and Harri are best friends. Both are interested in music. Anders is obsessed with trains. They decide to go to Geta, a scene of Sweden’s worst ever train disaster. (in Swedish with English subtitles)
I AM ZIGGY
8 min./documentary/2008/Sweden
Maria is 17 and has Asperger’s syndrome. She’s been bullied and tried to commit suicide several times. But out of the role of victim, Ziggy is born. (adult content – in Swedish with English subtitles)
DAY IN VENICE
20 min./narrative/2009/Slovenia
A father is forced to deal with having a song with Down syndrome when his wife leaves for a day trip to Venice. (adult content – in Slovenian with English subtitles)
THE FAMILY
36 min./documentary/2008/Slovenia
A father, mother, two sons and a dog – the parents and the older son are mentally challenged. The younger son is already the head of the family. (adult content – in Slovenian with English subtitles)
