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2021 Short Film Competition

Thanks to the 2021 Short Film Competition Judges!

2021 Documentary Division Finalists

THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS OF JEREMY SICILE-KIRA

Dir. Aaron Lemle. United States
Jeremy Sicile-Kira uses painting to transcend his disability and communicate his dreams to others.

DISEASED AND DISORDERLY

Dir. Andrew Kötting. United Kingdom
DISEASED AND DISORDERLY is a film that uses the paintings, drawings and collages of the neurodiverse artist Eden Kötting to make imagistic gold. Assisted by her father, Andrew Kötting, the 2D animator Glenn Whiting, and the 3D animator Isabel Skinner, the collaboration takes us on a phantasmagorical journey into a world of Eden's making and then beyond. Website | Facebook | Instagram

TBI & MYLONGEST RIDE

Dir. Cheryl Green, Karl Moritz. United States
Karl Kajomo Moritz faced the ultimate life change when he was bicycle commuting home from work in 2010 and was hit head on by a car and spent five weeks in a coma. Kajomo developed a healing plan with healthy eating, acupuncture, speech therapy, neurofeedback, and high cardio velodrome track riding. He embarked on what he calls spinning for neurogenesis: improving cognition and overall brain bandwidth and reconnecting with his sons and his community. Funded by a generous grant from Regional Arts & Culture Council.

THE UNIVERSE ACCORDING TO DAN BUCKLEY

Dir. Roberto Santaguida. Canada
In the beginning, there was nothing. You can get nothing easily.

VERNOS FLORECER (SEEING UP BLOSSOM)

Dir. Claudia Castellàn, Huayra Bello. Guatemala
In January 2020, the Women with the Ability to Dream in Color (Mujeres con Capacidad de Soñar a Colores) collective and the METOCA organization conducted the first Theater of the Oppressed Laboratory exclusively for women with disabilities. In Sololà, Guatemala, using their creativity, complicity, pleasure, and collective strength, this group starts to break their silence and change a history of exclusion and violence legitimated by the state, the system and society at large. Trailer

 

2021 Non-documentary Division Finalists

BEAUTIFUL BEAR

Dir. Stuart Quinn. United Kingdom
Peter is on autism spectrum and lives with a soft toy bear companion called Teddy. The two are inseparable. However, one night he must summon the courage to face a situation he has never faced before and for the first time... without Teddy.

COCOON

Dir. Yavar Darehzami. Islamic Republic of Iran
The short man, under the influence of the media, makes an artificial limb for himself, grows tall, comes out of his house, and we see that everyone is short. Instagram

FEELING THROUGH

Dir. Doug Roland. United States
FEELING THROUGH, the first film to star a DeafBlind actor, is a coming of age story that follows Tereek, a teen wandering the streets of New York, desperate for a place to crash when he encounters Artie, a DeafBlind man in need of help getting home. From an awkward meeting between strangers emerges an intimate bond, and a journey that forever changes Tereek. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

THE SECRET LIFE OF TOM LIGHTFOOT

Dir. Ray Jacobs. United Kingdom
Tom Lightfoot works as a calls operator for "We have the Answers," a call centre which answers anybody's questions about absolutely anything. Tom is secretly studying for a PHD in bird migration, but this is not Tom's secret life; his secret is inside of him. This film is part of a series of films, ˜Secret Lives," that combines the artistry and experiences of UK learning disability group ˜Arty Party," the film direction of Ray Jacobs, and the writings of NYT best selling fantasy author Jeff Vandermeer. Facebook

SIGN NIGHT

Dir. Cathy Mager. United Kingdom
Sign Night is a poetic conversation in sign language between two star crossed lovers, projected onto buildings in central Bristol, U.K. The deaf performers share their dreams for the future from building to building, across the night sky. Sign Night is inspired by the balcony performers of Wuhan and Lombardy, this time using British Sign Language (BSL), the vital, visual and versatile language of British deaf communities. Website | Twitter | Instagram

SIGNS AND GESTURES

Dir. Itandehui Jansen. United Kingdom
Florist Clara relies on smell, touch and sound. She has recently been chatting with art student Simon through a dating app. They arrange to meet in person. However, during their first date an unexpected situation arises. Website | Facebook | Instagram

WIGGLE ROOM

Dir. Sam Guest, Julia Baylis. United States
Determined to save her wheelchair ramp from repossession, Daisy confronts the shady insurance agent who owes her money. Website | Instagram

WITHIN THE SILENCE

Dir. Jade Tailor. Canada
A young girl, Iris, escapes a tumultuous reality and her abusive father by fleeing deep into her imagination. As she immerses herself in her storybook, she finds that the reality she had once known would quickly fade away. It is there, in the depths of her mind, that she finds hope, a touch of magic, and a place few dare to dream. Instagram

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