West Orange Filmmakers Promote Disability Inclusion With ‘Hyper Inattentive’

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Two West Orange natives recently co-produced a dramedy that uses the power of filmmaking to promote disability inclusion.

“Hyper Inattentive” is a dramedy about a young woman with ADHD who suddenly becomes the guardian of her precocious 4-year-old sister when their parent disappears on a bender. With a social worker visit looming, she struggles to keep herself and her household together, while her sister’s elaborate pillow fort forces her to confront her own insecurities and embrace her neurodivergent identity.

The Reckless Theatrics film is produced by Sam Nieves, a West Orange High School alum (class of 2013), Ali Hardy and Mattie Cameron Rosen. It is directed by Dante Leach, another West Orange High School alum (class of 2012). The collaboration also marks the acting debut of Eliyana Araten as the fort-builder, Bailey.

“I wanted to tell a story about two characters who share a similar type of neurodivergence, but whose experiences manifest in completely different ways,” explained Nieves, who wrote the script, produced the short and stars in it.

“As someone with ADHD, the heart of the story is that despite society telling us to conform and ‘push through” in order to be productive, it is far more valuable to honor our true selves, and meet ourselves where we are,” Nieves said.

“Instead of trying to conform to societal demands and expectations for acceptance, we should be nurturing the relationships that meet us where we are and allow us to exist without judgment,” Nieves added.

The film is an entry in this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. The national competition invites filmmakers from across the country to create short films in just five days using assigned genres, props and other story elements. The challenge aims to raise awareness, showcase creative talent, and reframe the narrative around disability in the entertainment industries.

Audiences can view “Hyper Inattentive” online here.

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