Northeast Arc Presents Film Festival

Autism Through My Lens helps the audience experience how teenagers with autism spectrum disorder navigate peer relationships and self advocacy. This is their world in their own words. This premiere documentary film is a collaboration between the Face Lab at Emerson College and the Spotlight Program of Northeast Arc.

The Sprout Film Festival’s mission is to inspire audiences, promote inclusion and support transformative filmmaking as an integral part of social change. This unique event, which focuses exclusively on films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), strives to challenge assumptions and break down stereotypes. By introducing powerful, thought-provoking films from around the world to new and ever-more inclusive audiences, we hope to promote greater acceptance, celebrate difference and light the spark to help make the invisible, visible.

The event at the Cabot will feature six films, including some by local filmmakers.

I Love Grilled Cheese, directed by Scott Anderson: 4 minutes - Libby provides some insights about the joys of living with her best friend, and big brother, max, who has Down syndrome.

A Good Life Too, directed by Joseph LeBaron & TRavis pitcher: 4 minutes - When he was a toddler, Alonzon Clemons suffered a brain injury. It forever changed the way he learns and comunicates but also the way he interprets the world around him as an artist.

The Interviewer, directed by Genieve Clay: 13 minutes - Thomas Howell gets more than he bargained for in his interview at a prestigious law firm. The film is a reminder not to underestimate the types of jobs people with disabilities can do.

S#!T People Say to Autistic Service Dog Partners, directed by Nath Selove: 3 minutes - If you’re on the autism sprectrum, have a service dog, or both, you can probably relate a lot to these. All these thinkgs have either been siad to the filmmaker or friends of his.

No Goodbyes, directed by Rohan Brooks: 3 minutes - this is a music video starring one of Australias most unique rock acts. The catchy-as-all-get-up verses and power-hitting chorus makes the little tune larger than life.