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2024 Selected Shorts

In 2024, we are focusing exclusively on short films! The films below are finalist entries from our Short Film Competition

Please note that * starred films include adult topics or language, parental discretion is advised.

Friday Selected Shorts Block 1

Turquoise (non-documentary)
Dir. Nibhal Bajracharya, Nepal
Upon hearing the name of the color "Turquoise" for the first time, an elderly couple have a captivating conversation about colors, reflecting upon their lifetime's perceptions and interpretations of various colors. 

Sound Tracks (documentary)
Dir. John Schaffer, United States
Two autistic artists, a photographer and a composer, share a “conversation” about their art and their lives as adults on the autism spectrum. Follow Wild Asperagus Productions at their website or on Facebook.

Rising Tides, Raising Voices (documentary)
Dir. Jody Kristina Santos, Samoa
The Pacific region is among the most impacted in the world by climate change. As part of a legacy of systemic oppression, Indigenous Pacific Islanders with disabilities are particularly at risk. Because they are less likely to be formally employed, their livelihoods depend on fishing and farming – which have been significantly affected by climate change. Rising Tides, Raising Voices is a call for intersectional, inclusive, community-led solutions to the encroaching global crisis. Learn more about the Disability Justice, which produces documentaries by and about people with disabilities, on its website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @DisabilityJusticeProject.

Friday Selected Shorts Block 2

Invisible Barriers (documentary)
Dir. Iban Colón, Spain
"Invisible Barriers" looks at the lives of three young people with functional diversity: Ylenia, Lorién and Elson have to face architectural barriers in their daily lives and in their educational environment, as well as other more hidden barriers.

* Lockdown (non-documentary)
Dir. Spencer MacKay, Canada
The film follows two people living with disabilities, one in a wheelchair and one living with a visual impairment, as the two must come together to help one another survive an active threat emergency at their university campus.

Traveling Light (non-documentary)
Dir. Alexis Karl, United States
Traveling Light, a short dance film celebrating performers with disabilities, reveals the language of movement as a profound form of communication. The film explores human connections and community as well as our inevitable link to nature. Follow the tightly-knit community on their symbolic journey into the woods. They carry only the experiences, memories, and dreams that matter to them.

Saturday Selected Shorts Block 3

A Tale of Sword and Smoke (non-documentary)
Dir. Michael Strachan Brown, United Kingdom
A Tale of Swords and Smoke is the epic story of two young adventurers journeying across a far away land. This film is produced by ArtWorks South Yorkshire. Artworks is a not for profit creative arts organisation, inspiring and supporting adults with learning disabilities to achieve their potential and develop important life skills through creative workshops and placements. 

* Pyramid of Disunion (non-documentary)
Dir. Ella Glendining, Jessi Gutch, United Kingdom
Angel attends a conscious uncoupling retreat, only to find that her ex is there.

Seeing Notes (documentary)
Dir. Vytas Cuplinskas, United States
Discover a little known gem in the heart of the Big Apple – a community music school that serves students of all ages that are living with vision loss. A school that has been engaged with the blind and visually impaired community for over a century helping its students develop their musical skills while learning the skills necessary to navigate life independently.

These Are The Sounds I Make (documentary)
Dir. Andy Bambach, Suzanne Whiteman, Australia
Simi a young woman with disabilities communicates in many different ways from making sounds and gestures to using conversation cards and new technologies. She enjoys getting out into nature, dancing, creating art, connecting with friends and being involved in decisions that affect her.