10 Things You'll Find at Superfest 2020 that You Won't Find Anywhere Else

Nathan Burns — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 18:27:22 +0000

Superfest 2020: Online!

It’s almost Superfest season, so mark your calendars for October 17 and 18 and check out the descriptions below! This year we’ll have our festival exclusively online, which will give us an opportunity to test some new formats and technologies, all with multiple forms of access in mind. Watch our upcoming mailings and social media for more details about tickets, program, opportunities for community conversations, and how it will all work.

For now, just know we can’t wait to share a terrific selection of cutting-edge disability films that will make you laugh, cry, groan, cheer, and take a welcome respite from the storm that is 2020. We all need this, and each other. So stay tuned!

Below, check out the films we'll be showing this year and things you'll find in them that you won't find anywhere else, but definitely should!

1. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS MAIN CHARACTERS

Indimenticabile

Luna, who has Cerebral Palsy, and Angel, a sexworker, share an unusual story of love, which challenges the cages and the judgment of others.

Garden Variety

A mockumentary about a disabled person’s garden and his unwarranted admirers.

2. DISABILITY FRIENDSHIPS

Stand Up

For all her life, 30-year old Jazmine who uses a wheelchair has wanted to be an actress. Meeting Ruth, while navigating the tough world of stand-up comedy, she learns that accessibility isn’t just about physical space.

3. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE ALSO QUEER AND/OR PEOPLE OF COLOR

ReAct

A self-employed Japanese wheelchair dancer born with Spina Bifida confronts the elements, natural and human, in lyrical, unexpected ways.

My Grito - Juror’s Choice

A story about a young man, Cristian, and his love for mariachi music, which leads him to seek out his own grito for his communication device.

4. DISABILITY AND DISCRIMINATION

Wheelchair Wendy

An eager-to-please doll in a wheelchair is placed in the perfect world of the narcissistic Barbara, and must find a way to fit in or be thrown in the trash.

5. INTERDEPENDENCE (AS CONTRASTED TO INDEPENDENCE)

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating - Innovation in Craft

When a woman is bedridden by a mysterious pathogen, a forest snail unexpectedly takes up residence on her nightstand. Together, they share an intimate journey of survival and resilience in this live-action true story, adapted from the award-winning memoir of the same title.

6. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FACING DIFFICULT REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS

Single

Kim, who was born with one arm, gets set up on a blind date. When she finally meets Jake, she quickly realizes he also has a physical disability, and she is pissed.

7. CHARACTERS/PEOPLE WHOSE IDENTITIES ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE MAIN DRIVING FORCE OR SOURCE OF CONFLICT FOR THE PLOT

The Secret Life of Tom Lightfoot

Tom Lightfoot works at a call center that answers anybody’s questions about absolutely anything. The talented co-workers know an awful lot, except about Tom himself, who holds secrets inside. And studying for a PhD in bird migration isn’t even the half of it.

8. BUT ALSO, DISABILITY AS A CENTRAL SOCIAL ISSUE

Sign at All Times - Advocacy Film

A young skateboarder shares his journey to find pride in his Deaf identity.

Verisimilitude - Best of Festival: Narrative

A narrative short about an unemployed disabled actress who takes a job to advise an up-and-coming British film star on how to be disabled for his latest role. But will he win an award?

9. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES' DAY TO DAY LIVES

High Flying Jade - Best of Festival: Documentary

Follow the true story of a bi-polar American white woman who tries to manage her unique brain chemistry by running away to join the circus in Hồ Chí Minh City.

Sweet Solace

A penniless, whimsical street musician smiles when two blind passersby encounter one another, catapulting all three into his imaginary world of movies and music.

10. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS DIRECTORS, PRODUCERS, WRITERS, AND ACTORS, TELLING THEIR OWN STORIES OR STORIES THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO THEM PERSONALLY.

Alternative Ways of Being Human

Used assistive devices take on second lives in this documentary about a passionate sculptor in Finland.

The God Given Talent

Blind Oakland poet, painter, playwright and teacher Charles Curtis Blackwell had a challenging upbringing in California and Mississippi. This sensitive documentary explores his current creative life rooted in loss, love, pain, and redemption.

More information will be coming soon. For now, mark your calendars for October 17 and 18, and start thinking about where you’ll order that popcorn!.

Tags:

Superfest

superfest 2020

films

Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability - superfest 2020

10 Things You'll Find at Superfest 2020 that You Won't Find Anywhere Else

Superfest 2020: Online!