2012 SPROUT FILM FESTIVAL
THE EVENT
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 photographs by Jon Kent.
Schedule: Friday April 27
OC87 co-directors, Glenn Holsten, Scott Johnston and Buddy Clayman (also the subject of the film) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
OC87
91 min./documentary/2010/USA
The Obsessive Compulsive, Major Depression, Bipolar, Asperger’s Movie. Buddy is making the movie of his life – as both the subject and a director of OC87.
Imaginary Circumstances
19 min./documentary/2010/USA
Three actors with disabilities currently working in the entertainment industry address the authentic representation of disability in the media as well as the ongoing struggle for access and inclusion.
THE FROG PRINCES
68 min./documentary/2010/Canada
A Montreal-based theater troupe of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities is working tirelessly to put on an ambitious adaptation of the play, The Frog and the Princess.
Filmmaker Drew Morton Goldsmith (No Pity) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
POETIC SHORTS
5 min./poetry videos/2010/USA
Three short videos featuring poetry written by poets with development disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by a young adult with developmental disabilities.
MY ONLY WISH
4 min./music video/2008/Australia
An early music video by the unique Australian independent rock group, Rudely Interrupted; five of the six members have disabilities.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
18 min./documentary/2009/USA
Breaking Boundaries: the Art of Alex Masket chronicles the story of an extraordinary young artists who has created a significant body of work despite having severe autism.
LASER BEAK MAN
10 min./documentary/2010/Australia
A child who was never expected to walk or speak overcomes incredible odds to become an accomplished visual artist with his animation series screening around the world.
NO PITY
16 min./documentary/2009/USA
For decades, charities portrayed people with disabilities as pitiable. Teenage filmmaker Drew Morton Goldsmith vividly portrays an autistic self-advocates’ empowered response.
AUTISTIC DISSONANCE
4 min./animation/2011/Canada
A filmmaker with autism demonstrates the various symptoms and frustrations of autism through the stages of a young life.
DETERMINED TO DANCE
16 min./documentary/2009/USA
A portrait of young dancers with Down syndrome and their families. The video also includes rehearsal footage and actual performances.
CATAPLASIA
7 min./documentary/2010/UK
A personal portrait of the members and leader of the dance group, Daniel Vais & the Love Spotters.
STATION 17
20 min./music videos/Germany
Station 17 is a collective of improvisational musicians gathered from a Hamburg community of people with mental disabilities. Six of their music videos will be screened during this program.
Filmmakers Helga Fjordholm and Heidi Sundby (The Hummingchild) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
DON’T LOOK BACK
26 min./documentary/2010/Denmark
He left his wife and disabled son. Ten years later, regretting his decision, he returns to his family in order to build a new life. (in Danish with English subtitles)
THE HUMMINGCHILD
28 min./documentary/2011/Norway
After epileptic seizures as a baby, Agnes was suspected of having autism. Her mother, a filmmaker, focuses on the inner family sphere. (in Norwegian with English subtitles)
BEYOND BORDERS
20 min./documentary/2009/Belgium
A strong poetic mosaic of three people with disabilities, from different ethnic origins. Three unique lives, one universal story. (English subtitles)
Filmmakers Jon Kent (Embraceable) and Anthony Di Salvo (King of Camp) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
EMBRACEABLE
50 min./documentary/2011/USA
Despite medical and intellectual challenges, people with Williams Syndrome embrace everyone with unconditional love. Embraceable celebrates this beautiful variation of life.
KING OF CAMP
42 min./narrative/2005/USA
A tale about Viru and how he survived his first day at summer camp. The video features acting and musical performances by people with developmental disabilities.
Filmmaker Ludovica Mauri (The Wing Man) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
THE WING MAN
16 min./narrative/2011/USA
rough cuts screening
In a colorful Brooklyn neighborhood, two brothers, one with Down syndrome, teach each other what love is.
Memory of You/Reflection of Me
10 min./narrative/2009/UK
Daniel has been watching Betty in her gloomy days. But today…something just makes her smile.
AGAINST THE FENCE
19 min./documentary/2011/USA
Riley was brutally beaten in a bias crime because of his developmental disability. This is a story about his recovery and his own participation in bringing justice to his life.
BOUNDLESS
17 min./narrative/2009/Australia
To confront life’s challenges head on, a 35-year-old man with Down syndrome draws upon his limitless imagination and quest for independence.
PORTRAIT OF MARIA
15 min./documentary/2010/Denmark
Maria loves dancing. She’s 23, lives with her parents, and has Down syndrome. Maria dreams of being able to dance in her very own flat. (in Danish with English subtitles)
DENNIS’S REVENGE
4 min./music video/2011/USA
A crazy night out for a hardcore, cool dude with Down syndrome and all his friends!!!
Schedule: Saturday April 28
Filmmaker Perrin Kerns and Clark Anderson Kerns, the subject her documentary Between Sasquatch and Superman, will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Anthony Di Salvo (One Question) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
BETWEEN SASQUATCH AND SUPERMAN
10 min./documentary/2010/USA
Clark, a young ma with Down syndrome, seeks to understand his own different through his obsessive fascination with Sasquatch and Superman.
TAKE A MOMENT WITH US
4 min./documentary/2010/New Zealand
This video is part of a multimedia exhibition profiling a diverse group of New Zealanders. Combining text, color and humor, people living with an intellectual disability tell their stories.
HANNAH
5 min./documentary/2010/International
This film explores the playful ambition of Hannah, a young dancer and athlete with a disability. Her personal achievements reveal that disability is no barrier to creativity.
EMMA AND BEN
42 min./documentary/2009/UK
A young couple with Down syndrome dreams of getting married. This film traces their journey and explores their inner lives and the nature of love.
BEAUTIFUL
13 min./narrative/2010/Australia
Two people with disabilities navigate through the challenges they face when their relationship is display in public.
BEST INTEREST
10 min./narrative/2010/UK
Paul makes the big mistake of letting his brother know he fancies Sam…who tells his dad, who tells his support worker, who tells his teacher…
THE MAGIC OF J-MAC
13 min./documentary/2010/USA
The story of an Autistic high school basketball team manager, Jason McElwain, who gets a chance to play in a regular season game and shoots the lights out.
ONE QUESTION
7.5 min./documentary/2011/USA
35 persons with developmental disabilities answer the same one question: If you can change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
Filmmaker Drew Morton Goldsmith (No Pity) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
POETIC SHORTS
5 min./poetry videos/2010/USA
Three short videos featuring poetry written by poets with development disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by a young adult with developmental disabilities.
MY ONLY WISH
4 min./music video/2008/Australia
An early music video by the unique Australian independent rock group, Rudely Interrupted; five of the six members have disabilities.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
18 min./documentary/2009/USA
Breaking Boundaries: the Art of Alex Masket chronicles the story of an extraordinary young artists who has created a significant body of work despite having severe autism.
LASER BEAK MAN
10 min./documentary/2010/Australia
A child who was never expected to walk or speak overcomes incredible odds to become an accomplished visual artist with his animation series screening around the world.
NO PITY
16 min./documentary/2009/USA
For decades, charities portrayed people with disabilities as pitiable. Teenage filmmaker Drew Morton Goldsmith vividly portrays an autistic self-advocates’ empowered response.
AUTISTIC DISSONANCE
4 min./animation/2011/Canada
A filmmaker with autism demonstrates the various symptoms and frustrations of autism through the stages of a young life.
DETERMINED TO DANCE
16 min./documentary/2009/USA
A portrait of young dancers with Down syndrome and their families. The video also includes rehearsal footage and actual performances.
CATAPLASIA
7 min./documentary/2010/UK
A personal portrait of the members and leader of the dance group, Daniel Vais & the Love Spotters.
STATION 17
20 min./music videos/Germany
Station 17 is a collective of improvisational musicians gathered from a Hamburg community of people with mental disabilities. Six of their music videos will be screened during this program.
RAISING RENEE
81 min./documentary/2011/USA
The story of acclaimed artist Beverly McIver and her promise to take her sister Renee (who is mental disabled) when their mother dies.
The directors, producers & writers of Travels With My Brother, Christine Alexiou & June Chua, will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program
Filmmaker David Alvarado (Keith and Daniel) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Nick Nanton (Jacob’s Turn) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Sally Stulberg (Sibling Revelries) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Jon Kent (Two of Us) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
MY BROTHER HYRUM
3 min./documentary/2011/USA
Autism is explained by five year old Hannah, who shares her personal perspective of her brother, Hyrum.
HOLD MY HAND
17 min./documentary/2011/USA
This film explores the significance of difference and equality in the life of Eliza, a woman with Down syndrome. Striving for a higher education, she faces rejection because of her difference.
TRAVELS WITH MY BROTHER
16 min./documentary/2009/Canada
This live-action/animated documentary explores the relationship between Vas, a high-functioning autistic man, and his older sister Christine.
LITTLE MOM
16 min./documentary/2010/USA
What happens when children become caregivers for disabled family members? A tender portrait of sibling relationships, and the sacrifices that these grown-up girls make daily to keep their family together.
JACOB’S TURN
8 min./documentary/2010/USA
An inspirational short documentary about a boy with Down syndrome and his love of baseball.
EVERY LITTLE THING
9 min./documentary/2010/USA
This film highlights one child’s experience with autism, and his mother’s love for him.
KEITH AND DANIEL
12 min./documentary/2011/USA
An intimate portrait of a family in Iowa whose lives begin to change when their first son is diagnosed with a rare behavior disorder.
SIBLING REVELRIES
11 min./documentary/2011/USA
An engaging portrait of the filmmaker’s unique relationship with her quadriplegic older brother – showing how they are extremely different and yet surprisingly alike.
TWO OF US
6 min./documentary/2011/USA
Through a series of short vignettes, narrated by the siblings themselves, this short film provides a moving portrait about how it is growing up with a brother or sister with a disability.
Filmmaker David Alvarado (Indelible Mark) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Mark Birnbaum (Champ: the Steve Mitchell Story) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
INDELIBLE MASK
24 min./documentary/2010/USA
Three survivors of acute trauma to the brain undertake a journey of rehabilitation and self-discovery in this unique documentary.
CHAMP: THE STEVE MITCHELL STORY
71 min./documentary/2008/USA
If he’s said it once, he’s said it a million times: “I AM the real life Rocky.” Steve Mitchell launches into his life story, including a traumatic brain injury at 11, and his life-long quest for stardom.
I’M PAINTING SOME IMAGINATION
14 min./documentary/2010/Sweden
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 Swedish with English subtitles)
A STILL JACKET
77 min./documetnary/2010/Switzerland
We follow Roman and Xaver through their daily routine on a farm. The drama between them ensues around the educational use of a chainsaw. (English subtitles)
THE EVEN MORE FUN TRIP
23 min./animation/2007/USA
A young man with autism returns to his favorite place – Fiesta, TX – determined to relive the magic of all his favorite rides and attractions. Animated with a kaleidoscopic explosion of color.
MISSION TO LARS (special screening)
77 min./documentary/2011/UK
Tom Spicer has Fragile X syndrome. He is also a massive fan of Lars Ulrich from Metallica. Tom’s brother and sister are determined to make his dream come true, as they all set out on a Mission to Lars.[/three_fourth_last]
Schedule: Sunday April 29
STEPPING OUT
48 min./documentary/1981/Australia
A documentary, made by Chris Noonan (Babe), which explores the lives of a unique theatre group of performers with intellectual disabilities as they prepare for their first public performance.
THE BALL
52 min./documentary/2010/Australia
Following four students with special needs, this film tracks their journey – complete with first loves and fist fights – as they prepare for their school’s debutante ball.
Filmmaker Perrin Kerns and Clark Anderson Kerns, the subject her documentary Between Sasquatch and Superman, will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
Filmmaker Anthony Di Salvo (One Question) will partake in a Q&A at the end of the program.
BETWEEN SASQUATCH AND SUPERMAN
10 min./documentary/2010/USA
Clark, a young ma with Down syndrome, seeks to understand his own different through his obsessive fascination with Sasquatch and Superman.
TAKE A MOMENT WITH US
4 min./documentary/2010/New Zealand
This video is part of a multimedia exhibition profiling a diverse group of New Zealanders. Combining text, color and humor, people living with an intellectual disability tell their stories.
HANNAH
5 min./documentary/2010/International
This film explores the playful ambition of Hannah, a young dancer and athlete with a disability. Her personal achievements reveal that disability is no barrier to creativity.
EMMA AND BEN
42 min./documentary/2009/UK
A young couple with Down syndrome dreams of getting married. This film traces their journey and explores their inner lives and the nature of love.
BEAUTIFUL
13 min./narrative/2010/Australia
Two people with disabilities navigate through the challenges they face when their relationship is display in public.
BEST INTEREST
10 min./narrative/2010/UK
Paul makes the big mistake of letting his brother know he fancies Sam…who tells his dad, who tells his support worker, who tells his teacher…
THE MAGIC OF J-MAC
13 min./documentary/2010/USA
The story of an Autistic high school basketball team manager, Jason McElwain, who gets a chance to play in a regular season game and shoots the lights out.
ONE QUESTION
7.5 min./documentary/2011/USA
35 persons with developmental disabilities answer the same one question: If you can change one thing about yourself, what would you change?
BRIGHT/SIMPLE
8 min./documentary/2008/USA
The story of a unique art studio which gives artistic and cultural opportunities to artists with disabilities, building an inclusive environment where all artists feel valued.
LIVING COLOUR
82 min./documentary/2011/Ireland
This film explores the world of an extraordinary artists’ collective in rural Ireland. It is a moving, often hilarious and intimate portrayal of a group of a vibrant characters.
Al Primo, the Executive Producer of Willowbrook: the Last Great Disgrace will be present to give a talk, following the screening of the film, on the making of this famous expose and run a Q & A.
WILLOWBROOK: THE LAST GREAT DISGRACE
28 min./documentary/1972/USA
Focusing on an institution in Staten Island, NY, this film was one of the first exposes on local television. After airing on WABC-TV, the manner of treating people with disabilities was forever changed.
FORGOTTEN PEOPLE
10 min./documentary/2000/USA
This film documents the inhumane conditions faced by individuals with mental disabilities in grossly understaffed, inadequate and neglectful psychiatric facilities around the world.
