::: The Sprout Film Festival :::

This video was shot by a woman with developmental disabilities, as a backdrop for a poem she wrote. Her goal was to create a poem that could be experienced through moving images. »		This is an animation that became part of a multimedia event created by artists with autistic spectrum disorders through Project Ability. It was written by a person with developmental disabilities.»
My Darling is a group effort by the residents and staff of a group home, in Hameenkyro, Finland. The story of a young man torn between two loves was written and performed by people with developmental disabilities. »		This animated story was written by Mary Egan, a woman with developmental disabilities. It is the story of Reggie, a flying mouse, who helps bring people together. The narration and the voices of all the characters are performed by people with developmental disabilities. »
Smudge is a contemporary Christmas tale, the simple endearing story of a young woman with Down Syndrome and her love for a stray puppy. »		Sneak Preview Screening! A riveting and complex coming-of-age story of a teenager with multiple disabilities, who is a local celebrity in his NYC neighborhood. As Mark prepares for his religious rite-of-passage, a family and community must consider his life away from home and the West Side. »

The above 2 animations were created by artists with autistic spectrum disorders. The workshops were facilitated by video artist Iain Piercy during Project Ability workshop sessions. Both stories were written by people with developmental disabilities.

This realistic yet loving portrait, made by a sibling, counters saccharine portrayals of people with developmental disabilities. Marni and Kris, married since 1993, live and work in New York City. Laced with irreverent humor, their story questions the meaning of "intelligence."»		Seth lives in a group home for people with developmental disabilities with Linda, a woman he loves from afar. Will Seth come out of his dream world and declare his love? David Johansen joins a cast of actors with developmental disabilities in this touching portrait. »
This is a compelling story of a young woman with significant disabilities who overcame challenges to attend a community college. It is a story of self-determination to assure a quality life in the community. »

Can a person with a mental disability be a good parent? This film takes a rare look at the controversial subject of parents with intellectual disabilities and their children. »		Forgotten People documents the inhumane conditions faced by individuals with mental disabilities situated in grossly understaffed, inadequate and neglectful psychiatric facilities around the world. Narrated by Susan Sarandon, with music by Peter Gabriel. »
Focusing on an institution located in Staten Island, NY, this film, with correspondent, Geraldo Rivera, was one of the first exposé ever done on local television. As a result of this program airing on WABC-TV, the manner of treating people with disabilities was forever changed. »

Following the struggle of the Shepard family over a period of five years, this powerful and evocative video documents the slow, painful process of reaching one child with autism. It offers tremendous insight into the stress families and educators face as they tackle this mysterious disorder. »		Seth Ehrlich, a person with developmental disabilities, gives a commentary on a community's efforts to deny a group home from opening. All facts and quotes used in the video are true. »
Emma was born with Down Syndrome which makes her different from her twin sister. In telling Emma's story through the eyes of her parents, the film challenges our perception of difference. »