Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability - Superfest

Superfest Films on Alaska Airlines Flights

Nathan Burns — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 20:02:04 +0000

We’re excited to announce that select past Superfest films will be showcased onboard Alaska Airlines flights!

These films will be shown among films from a diverse range of film festivals on the west coast and Hawaii. The selections range from animation, to documentary style, to short films, and more.

Here are the past Superfest films that are being showcased:

Chief

This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999. Unable to afford a service animal from an organization, Sonja trains her dog herself and takes a chance on Chief, who is not your average service dog.

Gaslit

A young disabled woman fights to hold on to her identity in the face of the world’s assumptions, and strives for independence from her parents, who doubt her ability to become a mother.

Awake

Anna, a woman living with Multiple Sclerosis is visited by Doreen, a door-to-door proselytizer who makes herself at home and stays the day, slowly defrosting her non-welcome. Together they walk in the park, bake a chocolate cake, and watch an Ingmar Bergman film.

Inclinations

Choreographed, directed and shot from disability perspectives, this dance-on- video short contrasts the playful connections when disability aesthetics, community and a ramp meet the institutional histories and discordant inclinations that can lurk just below the surface.

Stinky Chicken Dog 2

New filmmaker Jenni Funk explores the complex and beautiful relationships between people with disabilities and their animals. She uses a speech generating device to interview a service dog owner and a companion pet owner and tell her own story of a tense relationship with her formerly abused and traumatized pet Chihuahua (the stinky chicken dog) who is frightened of her movements and her voice.

Invalid Corps

In July 1864, Confederate General Jubal Early launches a surprise raid that takes him to the very gates of Washington DC. The city is in panic. Almost every able-bodied soldier from the Union has already been sent south for the siege of Petersburg, more than 100 miles away. The only defenders remaining are clerks, government officials, and the Invalid Corps. Made up of men injured in battle or by disease, these "hopeless cripples" must hold out for a desperate 24 hours until Union General Grant can send reinforcements. With Lincoln himself on the ramparts, they cannot afford to fail.

The Gallery

At an audition, Maya becomes part of an absurd cycle, and loses track of who she's performing for and why. The Gallery is a narrative short that explores how some marginalized groups can be shut out of cultural institutions, and how they can feel pressured into perpetuating a system that doesn't appear to be working in their favor.

The Penguin Who Couldn't Swim

This animated short, made by a disabled animator, follows the story of a penguin who lives on a rocky island in the southern seas where she feels isolated from the rest of her colony..

Bastion

Just before closing time, a completely bald man walks into a barber shop. Reflections in the window and an irritating fringe have told him that it’s time for a haircut.

Gaelynn Lea: The Songs We Sing

Minnesota violinist and disability rights advocate Gaelynn Lea travels the upper Midwest on tour, experiencing the ups and downs of the road while hustling hard to make it as a performer and artist.

To learn more about the other festivals being included, visit: https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-airlines/2020-west-coast-film-festivals-alaska-entertainment/

Tags:

Superfest

Film

entertainment

travel

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

SFFILM Partners with Superfest to Bring Disability into Schools

Ginger Testerman — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 19:56:18 +0000

For the last three years, Superfest Disability Film has teamed up with SFFILM's education program to bring disability filmmakers and films into K-12 San Francisco schools. Check out the write-up from our colleague at SFFILM about this year's program!

By: Maddy Leonard, SFFILM

On Friday October 11th, SFFILM Education, along with Cheryl Green, brought the short film Stinky Chicken Dog 2 into two San Francisco elementary schools as part of our Superfest partnership programming. (Here’s a link to the first Stinky Chicken Dog in case the name intrigues you.) Cheryl Green, a documentary filmmaker with acquired disabilities, whose work focuses on disability identity and culture and on making media accessible, directed the film along with Jenni Funk, who is also a disabled filmmaker from the Portland area. The film explores the complex and beautiful relationships between people with disabilities and their animals. Jenni uses a speech generating device throughout the film to interview a service dog owner and a companion pet owner. She also tells her own story of a tense relationship with her formerly abused and traumatized pet Chihuahua (the stinky chicken dog) who is frightened of her movements and her voice. The film is simple and light-hearted, which made it very accessible to young audiences. It allowed young viewers to empathize with others who might have different abilities than them.

The first visit was really special. It was at Town School for Boys with Christian Ceci-MacGillis’s 5th grade STEM class. His class was concurrently studying accessible technology, and for their final project they are going to build a bionic arm! Stinky Chicken Dog 2 evoked loads of questions and comments from the students about how the folks in the film became disabled, and how their pets helped them either physically or mentally. During their conversation with Cheryl, the boys were all very respectful, and some were able to open up about how disability had affected their own families too.

There was one special moment in the beginning of the visit that was especially touching. When Cheryl and I arrived, she told the class of boys that because of her disability, she was very sensitive to loud noises, and the sound of clapping was too much for her. She asked that instead during the presentation the boys rubbed their hands together to make a soft wisping noise. They immediately all practiced the noise together and had fun trying out this new version of “applause”. Then about five minutes into Cheryl’s Q & A, another class of boys came to join the presentation. As soon as the new class sat down, the original class told the newcomers about Cheryl’s sensitivity to loud noises, and they all collectively rubbed their hands together to “applaud” Cheryl. Cheryl explained to me, after the visit was over, that many adults refuse to acknowledge this accommodation request at presentations and events, and she was blown away by the receptiveness and kindness that the young boys expressed to her.

The second visit of the day was at Paul Revere Elementary with Christina Shak’s 3rd through 5th special day class. This class was a small group of about eight students with mild to moderate disabilities. Because many of the students in this class had short attention spans, we worked with Christina to plan a different activity other than our normal filmmaker Q & A. We first viewed the film with the students, then they had about five minutes to ask questions and interact with Cheryl. After that, Christina explained a drawing activity themed around Stinky Chicken Dog 2. The students drew either a pet they already have or an animal that is somehow special to them. Christina invited us to sit at the tables and participate in the activity along with the students. It was awesome to get one-on-one time with the students while they drew; and it gave Cheryl the opportunity to talk about her film more with interested students.

Overall, Cheryl’s presentations were not only meaningful to the students who got to interact with her, but they were informative to me as well. I learned a lot from Cheryl about the disability community and disability rights activism in film! These are some words she shared with me post visit:

“I've continued to reminisce about the experience with SFFILM and have shared stories about those class visits with my friends and colleagues here. Jenni, of course, is beyond thrilled. She showed the film to a graduate school speech therapy class where they study how to teach and work with people who use speech devices like hers. Getting to answer their questions and present to them was the highlight of her year. Now, with your idea to take it to the film programs' outreach into grade schools, well, she's walking on air at the thought! I'm really proud too!”

Make sure to follow the great work of SF Film on their Twitter (@sffilm), Instagram, (@sffilm) and/or Facebook!

Tags:

Superfest

disability

SFFILM

Superfest Day 2, with Actiview!

Anna Goose — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:09:51 +0000

Day 2 Superfest will have closed audio description access thanks to Actiview; here's how to make use of it!

Actiview App “How To”

In-Theater Watching Instructions

We are excited that you’re ready to use the Actiview App! Below are a few tips and instructions for an easy, accessible movie-watching experience.

Before heading to the theater…

1. Download the Actiview App on your iOS mobile device ( http://activiewapp.com/download )

2. Log into / sign up for the app

3. Scroll to the bottom of the homescreen and click the “+” icon, “Redeem a Code” - Enter SUPERF18

4. Select the movie you want to watch (scroll to top of the page and to the last movie in the “In Theaters” section)

5. Select and download the available languages and accessibility service(s) you want to use

6. Make sure your phone is charged and that you bring headphones to the theater if you’re using any audio service!

When you arrive at the theater…

1. Open the Actiview App on your mobile device

2. Choose the movie you’re going to see

3. Make sure your headphones are plugged in if you’re using an Audio service

4. When the movie starts, hit the play button on the service you selected

5. The app will sync using the microphone so make sure it’s not covered

6. You’re all set! Enjoy the show!

Tags:

10 Things You Will Find at This Year’s Superfest That You Won’t Get Anywhere Else (But Should!)

Emily Beitiks — Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:12:27 +0000

Written by: Robyn Ollodort, adapted for 2018 by Juhee Joshi

As we gear up for Superfest Disability Film Festival 2018, we wanted to share key features of the films in the festival that excite us and that are changing the way we see disability. So, in this Buzzfeed-style feature, we present 10 things you’ll find in #Superfest2018 films that you won’t get anywhere else - but should! And don’t forget to buy your tickets to Superfest now before they sell out!

1. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS MAIN CHARACTERS

To Know Him

Two women sit, both with looks of concern, gazing towards the left. The woman, at left, is in focus and wears a black shirt.

When a tragic accident leaves Sarah grieving for her deaf partner Rob, she is forced to track down and engage with his estranged hearing father. To lay the man she loves to rest, Sarah must overcome a barrier far greater than language

2. DISABILITY FRIENDSHIPS

Stumped - Best of Festival, Short

Maureen climbs a sheer rock-face, hundreds of feet in the air.

Climber Maureen Beck is not here to be your inspiration. She was born missing her lower left arm, but that hasn't stopped her from going hard. “I don’t want to just be a good one-armed climber,” says Maureen. “I want to be a good climber."

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

Who Am I To Stop It - Disability Justice Award

Dani Sanderson with curly dark-brown hair and ear buds around her neck.

This semi-observational documentary explores isolation, art and transformation after brain injury. Through cinéma vérité, the film follows Dani Sanderson, a poet and beat boxer, as she navigates autonomy, relationships, and questions of family, queer sexuality and faith.

4. DISABILITY AND DISCRIMINATION

Kū Kanaka/Stand Tall

A group of activists march in Honolulu, lead by Kanalu Young

When 15-year-old Kanalu Young takes a dive into shallow water, he becomes quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down. Angry and defiant through months of rehabilitation, he begins to change when he learns the Hawaiian language, and discovers an untold story of Hawaiian history.

5. INTERDEPENDENCE (AS CONTRASTED TO INDEPENDENCE)

Gaelynn Lea - The Songs We Sing

Gaelynn sings into a mic and holds a violin while performing onstage.

Minnesota violinist and disability rights advocate Gaelynn Lea travels the upper Midwest on tour, experiencing the ups and downs of the road while hustling hard to make it as a performer and artist.

6. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FACING DIFFICULT REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS

Still Tomorrow - Documentary, Best of Festival, Feature

A figure walks away from the camera into an open wheat-field with a path down the middle.

Yu Xiuhua is a village woman with cerebral palsy, who became China’s most well-known poet in 2015. Her 20-year-long arranged marriage has become the biggest pain in her life. Through her poems, she contemplates her fate and writes about her body and her desire for true love.

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

Stopgap in Stop Motion

A closeup of a stop motion collage of a troupe of disabled and non-disabled dancers.

Photographs of performers in a disabled and non-disabled dance company come to life. The individual artists dance out of the photos and across table tops until the whole company meets and performs in unison.

8. BUT ALSO, DISABILITY AS A CENTRAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUE

This is Normal

A profile shot of a woman sitting in her car, looking distraught.

A young deaf woman undergoes an experimental medical procedure that is supposed to "cure" her of her deafness and give her the ability to hear. Despite the controversy, Gwen risks her friends, culture and identity to discover the answer to the question, "Is it worth giving up who you've been for who you could become?"

9. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES' DAY TO DAY LIVES

Stim - P.K. Walker Innovation in Craft Award

Lower-body shot of a child sitting cross-legged, grasping a blue plush toy with one hand.

An artistic ode to the practice of stimming, or self-stimulatory behavior, the repetition of physical movements or sounds, or repetitive movement of objects.

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

Journey to the Miracle Man

A woman stands on a ledge in front of a fresh night sky with low, blue light in front of an open frontier. She holds her phone up to photograph the scene.

With as much hope as doubt, Fabian and Lisa travel on a journey that will change their worldview. But is the Miracle Man (John of God) the savior everyone is talking about? And do they need to believe to be healed?

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW AT SUPERFESTFILM.COM/TICKETS

Tags:

Superfest

disability films

GATTACA at 20: Looking Back, Looking Ahead...

Visitor — Thu, 03 May 2018 17:04:24 +0000

The following blog was cross-posted from the Center for Genetics and Society: GATTACA at 20: Looking Back, Looking Ahead... by Katie Hasson

Twenty years after its release, the film Gattaca remains an enduring touchstone for discussions of human genetic technologies. Starring Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law, Gattaca presents a dystopian vision of the “not-too-distant future,” in which society is divided into genetic “haves” and “have-nots.” The “Valids,” conceived through IVF and selected for supposedly “superior” genetic profiles, monopolize high status careers and positions in society; the “In-Valids,” conceived without technology, are discriminated against and excluded, presumed to be “inferior” because they differ from a narrowly defined standard of genetic perfection. The story follows Vincent, an “In-Valid” seeking to defy this system and achieve his dream of space flight. In the twenty intervening years, “Gattaca” has become shorthand for the potential that genetic engineering could be misused to produce an oppressively unequal and intolerant society. Today, as technical developments raise anew the possibility of genetically modifying future generations, and a resurgence in overt racism and race science gathers steam, the film’s lessons are more relevant than ever. So what can we learn from Gattaca about the possibilities of human genetic technologies for supporting the common good or intensifying and increasing social inequality? And how close is our present-day reality coming to its dystopian vision? To explore these questions, the Center for Genetics and Society co-sponsored two Gattaca-centered public events in the Bay Area. Each included a screening of the film, followed by discussion among a panel of scholars and activists. Lively audiences engaged each panel with questions and comments about the film. The Berkeley event on March 6 was co-sponsored by the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley. Troy Duster (Chancellor’s Professor, UC Berkeley) offered opening remarks to frame the film, encouraging the audience to watch for how the story portrayed resistance: Are there any signs of increasing social consciousness, or does resistance only take place through individual acts? This theme was explored further in a wide-ranging panel discussion moderated by Karen Nakamura (UC Berkeley, Haas Institute).

Troy Duster, Rosemarie Garland-Thomson, and Osagie Obasogie speak about the film Gattaca at the David Brower Center in Berkeley

Rosemarie Garland-Thomson (Emory University) pointed out that to some extent, the genetic screening and selection depicted in the film is already happening in fertility clinics, fostering a market-driven “soft eugenics” focused on producing the “best possible” child. Troy Duster related the genetic selection technologies in the film to the popularization of DNA ancestry testing. The tests’ increased marketing and social acceptance, he said, permeates society with beliefs about the precise measurement of ancestry – and, by extension of race – that is actually all “smoke and mirrors.” Osagie Obasogie (UC Berkeley, Haas Institute and CGS Senior Fellow) noted that a number of human genetic technologies share an underlying eugenic logic that associates human value with quantitative measurements, pointing out that this aspect of eugenics has only intensified in the decades since WWII. This is particularly true in recent years, as these quantitative measurements are being re-linked to deterministic understandings of genetics. Connecting this to current debates about CRISPR gene editing, he argued that technology doesn’t develop inevitably under its own direction, but rather is guided by political choices about how to use our time and resources. Gattaca gets us to think about whether this is the kind of society we want and what choices would make the world a better place for all citizens. A reception following the film provided a chance for audience members and panelists to continue the conversation, while a team from the podcast Life of the Law interviewed attendees for an upcoming episode.

Karen Nakamura moderates the panel discussion at SFPL

The second screening was held March 8 at the San Francisco Main Public Library and was co-sponsored by SFPL Access Services, Superfest International Disability Film Festival and the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society. It examined Gattaca through an explicit disability justice lens. Catherine Kudlick (Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability, San Francisco State University) introduced the film, highlighting its central themes of ableism and normalcy. Gattaca, she said, shows us the problematic nature of the dream of a world with no disability. After the film, Karen Nakamura kicked off a lively discussion with the provocative question “What the heck kind of a disability film is this?!” Lawrence Carter-Long (Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund) and Dominika Bednarska (Performer/Activist) noted Gattaca’s ahead-of-its-time portrayal of non-apparent disabilities and hierarchies of disability; Catherine Kudlick and Sara Acevedo (California Institute of Integral Studies) joined them in exploring the ways the film challenges ableism but nevertheless reproduces familiar negative tropes of disability. Discussion returned several times to question whether the film’s explicit critique was undermined by its unimaginative portrayal of disability experience. CGS’s Marcy Darnovsky discussed two lessons of the film, the first challenging genetic determinism, which is captured by the tag line “There’s no gene for the human spirit.” The second lesson makes clear that it’s not the supposed “success” of genetic engineering that produces Gattaca’s dystopian society; rather, the mere perception of genetically based “superior” capabilities is enough to produce extreme stratification. She drew out the implications for gene editing technologies and their potential to exacerbate already obscene levels of social inequality.

Lawrence Carter-Long, Marcy Darnovsky, and Sara Acevedo discuss Gattaca at SF Public Library

Both events used Gattaca to explore important questions about the social and political context in which human genetic technologies, including gene editing, are being developed and used. Given the pace of scientific research into human gene editing, there is an urgent need for extensive and meaningful public discussion about how these technologies should be developed, used, and regulated. These events drew on Gattaca as a compelling and accessible starting point for these discussions. Visit the Gattaca event page or the CGS Youtube channel to watch video of the panels (Longmore Insert: not yet captioned). We’ll be updating the Gattaca event page with additional links and resources, including the upcoming Life of the Law podcast episode and other media coverage.

Tags:

Center for Genetics and Society

disability hierarchies

GATTACA Turns 20: "What the heck kind of disability film is this?"

Visitor — Fri, 09 Mar 2018 23:02:21 +0000

The film GATTACA, the dystopian vision of a vastly unequal future, continues to shape discussions of human genetic technologies 20 years after its release. Last night, we brought together an all-star panel to follow a screening of the film and ask: how does GATTACA help us answer the questions we face today, as discrimination against people with disabilities continues at the same time that genetic modification of future generations becomes technically possible? But as our moderator Karen Nakamura opened the discussion, the guiding question was "What the heck kind of disability film is this?!?"

Thank you to our panelists Dr. Sara Acevedo, Dominika Bednarska, Lawrence Carter-Long, Marcy Darnovsky, and Catherine Kudlick, as well as moderator Karen Nakamura for your fabulous commentary. Thank you as well to our co-organizers who worked hard to make this possible: the Center for Genetics and Society, Access Services at San Francisco Public Main Library, the HAAS Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society and Superfest International Disability Film Festival. At the end of the discussion, there was so much more to say! So please, share your thoughts, ask more questions, and keep the conversation going by commenting on this post! Missed the panel? Video and podcast coming soon at geneticsandsociety.org!

Tags:

Superfest

How to Catch the Films from Superfest 2017!

Visitor — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 22:13:02 +0000

The Longmore Institute on Disability and LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired are still so excited about the success of Superfest 2017! Although this year's festival has come to an end, this post will let you know how you can still watch or learn more about some of your favorite characters, films, and directors! And don't miss the chance to catch six of these films with audio description and captioning twice a day throughout December 2017 and January 2018 on SFGOVTV2 either on your tv or streaming to your computer. Click here for the schedule or here to watch now.

Info for films that screened on Saturday, November 4^th Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley:

CHIEF This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999. Unable to afford a service animal from an organization, Sonja trains her dogs herself and takes a chance on Chief, who is not your average service dog. Keep up with @chief - a service dog on Facebook.

MIND/GAME: The UNQUIET JOURNEY OF CHAMIQUE HOLDSCLAW Basketball superstar Chamique Holdsclaw faced six felony counts, the possibility of prison and public attacks on her character. Her rollercoaster attempts at recovery from near suicide reveal an uphill battle against the stigma of psychiatric disability and show a deep journey that is powerful, revelatory, instructive and real. Learn more about Mind/Game on Twitter! @mindgamefilm Buy your home use DVD here.

WHEN BRENDEN MET HIROE A photographer from Australia returns to Japan to reunite with his friend Hiroe, who he met at a blind and deaf/blind workshop the year before. The pair spends an unforgettable day together. Learn more about this film and director on Twitter! @crossroadarts Watch the film here (Audio described but not captioned).

THE BARBER OF AUGUSTA Toronto native Matthew Genser goes to great lengths to find his unexpected superpower: cutting hair. Like all superheroes, he has a dark side; but in his costume, he’s invincible. Put on your cape and get lined up! Follow and learn more about the Director of this short film on Twitter! @michelehozer Check out the film website.

TRAVELLER A young woman born with a disability searches for a career despite rampant discrimination. She travels to Japan where she finds strength in disability activism and community, and returns home with a newfound sense of pride. Follow and keep up with the director on Twitter: @nwayezarchesoe

ON THE OUTS: REENTRY FOR INMATES WITH DISABILITIES “On the Outs” follows three inmates with disabilities as they prepare for reentry, get discharged and navigate the challenges of returning to their old lives. Produced by the Amplifying Voices of Inmates with Disabilities (AVID) Prison Project, this documentary scrutinizes the prison institution and its treatment of inmates with disabilities. This film can be rented or purchased from: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ontheoutsa There is also a link to a non-AD non-Opencaps version at: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ontheouts Follow on twitter: @avidproject Learn more about Rooted in Rights and see other films on their website here.

SIGN Two men meet on a train—and a tender and unspoken love story unfolds. Through vignettes, music and sign language, “Sign” follows the relationship between Ben (hearing) and Aaron (Deaf) as they navigate life’s milestones side by side. Follow and learn more about this film on Twitter: @signthefilm

IN CRYSTAL SKIN In Bogotá, Colombia, a charismatic eleven-year-old named Maria lives with the limitations imposed by a rare skin disease. Her fierce bond with her mother is tested and strengthened as they struggle to preserve Maria’s swiftly passing childhood. For more information on this film follow @incrystalskin on Twitter, as well as stream through Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/216918967 (No AD)

STAB: LIFE AS A VOODOO DOLL An animated comic medical memoir dedicated to all those who live with chronic illness or disability. Writer and director Jeanette Castillo pairs her tongue-and-cheek personal account of living with Type 1 diabetes with criticism of the American healthcare system. Keep up and learn more about this film by following its Facebook page.

Info for films that screened on Sunday, November 5^th at The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco:

DEEJ After being abandoned by his birth parents, DJ found not only a loving family but a life in words through a text-to-voice synthesizer. Told by DJ himself, “Deej” was filmed over six years in the American Midwest and chronicles his journey to become Oberlin’s first non-speaking, autistic student. Info on how to catch this film at www.DeejMovie.com or order your DVD at https://www.deejmovie.com/store. Deej will also be broadcast by America ReFramed throughout the week following Tuesday, December 26. Follow and learn more about this film through twitter! @deejmovie

ON BEAT This documentary short follows the lives of a deaf couple with hearing children and the unexpected outlet that brings their family closer together. Purchase and stream all of Reid Davenport’s films at: http://throughmylens.us/reids-films/. Follow and learn more about this film's director on twitter! @ReidDavenport

LEFTY & LOOSEY In this techy ode to film noir, two amputee veterans turned private investigators uncover a diabolical plot and must overcome their fears to crack the code and save the world. Follow and learn more about this film and the director/actor/writer on Twitter! @david_harrell Watch it here (non-AD).

RHIZOPHORA Forty years after the Vietnam War, the toxic remnants of Agent Orange have not faded. In this dreamlike meditation on the impact of war and the resilience of humanity, "Rhizophora" follows 11 disabled Vietnamese youth on a whimsical, poignant and whirling journey through a day in their lives. Follow and learn more about this film on Facebook! @rhizophoramovie Visit the website.

WELL DONE A sharply-dressed young man with Down syndrome sneaks out of his house to visit an art museum and causes a disruption. Through humor and irreverence, this film reminds us that art can be interpreted by everyone, not just the "experts." Keep up and learn more about Well Done on Facebook.

Tags:

Disability film

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Superfest

An Ode to the Service Dog: A Talk with Sonja Ohldag

Visitor — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 22:33:07 +0000

Leading up to Superfest 2017, Superfest intern Celina Gomez spoke with Sonja Ohldag about her film Chief. To follow the film on Facebook, visit: https://www.facebook.com/sohldag/posts/355631324847145

Celina Garcia: Chief is comprised of both still imagery and home-video style footage. At what point did you decide you wanted to fashion them into a documentary, and how did this dictate the type of footage you then captured?

Sonja Ohldag: I’ve captured most his training moments on camera. Taping and photographing for me is training diary, progress reports, it gives me feedback on things I could do better in order to improve chief’s progress and mine. The videos help me to determine how well we’re doing in our training schedule. People often times don’t know that legit Owner/Trainers follow individualized task schedules and have a system, which is geared toward their teaching pace and skills, and the dogs’ learning and progressing pace and skill levels. Service dog training for different kinds of disabilities require different types of training. As an Owner/Trainer, we have to discipline ourselves every single day to stay on track. That’s not always easy, but the picture material helps me to stay on track and provide consistency for Chief and myself. I like to have a journal, for mainly me, but also for others to see and experience what goes into service dog training.

Lots of Owner/Trainers have benefitted from the videos and wonderful conversations have come out of it. Those videos and photo material have helped me to resolve access challenges, too. Chief’s movie only shows fragments of it and I wish we could have put every single photo and video into it, but that would be almost 6 years of material. In short - the photos and videos, are for proof of training, self-evaluation and interaction with other Owner/Trainers and of course, for memories. I’ve always wanted to write a book about Jolanda, the dog I worked with before Chief. She was the book kind of dog. But Chief loves the camera and he loves to pose and I knew from day one that he needed to be on screen. People love seeing his photos and videos, which made the final decision easy.

CG: Prior to making Chief, what types of films or stories had you seen where you felt they properly reflected life with a service dog? What sort of influences did you draw inspiration from, or did you feel there was a gap in representation?

SO: Yes, there’s clearly a gap in representation and often times misrepresentation or underrepresentation. Often times people think it’s more than enough to always want to hang out with their dog to turn their pets into service animals, but that’s not how it works. Owner/Trainers are hardly ever mentioned in a positive light, which I find heartbreaking, but somewhat understandable since we have no representative who would promote us in public or share our stories, nor do we have the funds to do it ourselves. Lots of us have social media pages in which we try to help people access our world. Many people with disabilities literally put their lives on hold and spend lots and lots of hours and money on training their own dogs. We meet up for training and exchange tips, we help each other, we travel far for meetups and have to make all the phone calls ourselves. No one finds us “interesting” enough to follow us around… We have to organize those things and it’s really exhausting, but rewarding. We’re all dealing with daily struggles and the amount of effort and team work it takes can’t be put in words.

I want for people to hear the good things about us. I want for people to see and understand that we’re out there, our dogs are incredible, and they’re highly trained and carefully chosen, and how it isn’t easy to train your own dog while you’re the one who needs the dog’s help. I also want them to see this process, and how owning a service dog is a lifelong responsibility and takes continuous training. My inspiration is my life and the dogs I’ve worked with and people who surround me. It’s such a beautiful feeling when someone truly “sees” your dog and immediately says - wow, what a cool dog you have. I can tell it’s a well-trained service dog. Those are the people I’m grateful for every single day. It’s such a good situation when people ask sincere questions about Chief or training. We’re always happy to explain and educate and people even get to say hi to him when they are respectful and interested. Luckily Chief is perceived very well and people naturally feel drawn to him.

CG: What kinds of obstacles did you encounter as a first-time filmmaker?

SO: Oy...nothing major. Amir Jaffer generously donated his time and knowledge to make this film happen. It’s was a really amazing process. He was not familiar with owner training initially, so we spent lots of time talking about service animals and training. Many conversations were personal and of course, some subjects were emotional and challenging. But we took our time and worked our way through it. I think the process was an incredible experience. We had a few logistical challenges in regards to finding days to film and do the interviews since we both travel frequently. Some days we met up with other Owner/Trainers and we had to find dates to get us all together. Sometimes I just simply had a hard time finding the right words or was dealing with personal issues. When you live with a disability, the illness doesn’t necessarily define everything you do, but it does influence your days. But other than that, it was a really awesome experience, and I can’t thank Amir enough for being so reliable and for helping me turn my thoughts into an actual film. I can be challenging to work with at times, but he was steady and kept us on track.

CG: In a short amount of time, your film captures a variety of issues. Why do you think film is an important medium in spreading awareness on not only service dogs but also highlighting living with an invisible disability?

SO: Watching or hearing something is oftentimes easier for people to access. It’s less “time consuming” and people are more willing to watch a short movie rather than hear someone talk or read pamphlets or books, plus I find it more personal. I love all media such as books and film and audio. I’ve shown Chief’s movie many times during educational events and people respond with different emotions. Some people were speechless, others cried, many were happy and sincerely appreciated it. They feel connected to Chief and myself, which immediately offers a great baseline for any kind of conversation and discussions. Invisible disabilities are things people don’t like to talk about. There’s still a lot of stigma attached and people often times are judged. I’m at a point where I’m completely open about my disability and feel comfortable sharing when people ask. Chief is such an amazing little guy, he makes me look special. But it’s all him. Chiefie’s movie helps people connect and understand on a cognitive and emotional level. It touches them. I’m glad it does.

CG: Do you feel there’s been an increased skepticism towards guide/service dogs? What do you hope resonates with audiences after viewing your film?

SO: I could go on and on about politics and schools vs Owner/Trainers, and about people thinking they know it all, and all those “specialists” out there who think they’re totally rad.... I don’t think people are “more” skeptical toward service animals, but due to lots of propaganda and the media reporting all the bad things, people now think they know “all about it,” and they are now confronted with things more than they used to be. Not too many years ago any kind of service animal was rather a rarity. Today, more people do have legit service animals and they’ve become more public.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to tell a legit working dog from a pet in a harness or vest. There’s lots of stuff going through the media, but hardly any sincere service animal education. Often times people can’t tell a well-trained dog from a training school or from an Owner/Trainer from a poorly trained one. There are poorly trained legit service animals as much as there are amazingly well-trained ones. They don’t know how to look for behavior, connection between handler and dog, synchronicity, etc… What makes me really unhappy is how businesses often times make no effort to keep people with disabilities and their dogs safe. They are poorly informed about existing laws.

CG: What questions can a covered entity's employees ask to determine if a dog is a service animal?

SO: In situations where it is not obvious that the dog is a service animal, staff may ask only two specific questions: (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? And (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? Staff are not allowed to request any documentation for the dog, require that the dog demonstrate its task, or inquire about the nature of the person's disability. Someone with a legit dog, who has had proper training should, for their own protection, make no fuss and respond accordingly. Businesses need to take responsibility so others can see that the “service dog business” is a serious one and that lives depend on it. Skepticism often times comes from being uninformed or feeling helpless and results in accidental or purposeful discrimination. I like to give people a hand and help them understand. It’s not easy, and it is very exhausting, but it’s worth all the encounters we had.

CG: Finally, what do you look forward to being a part of Superfest?

SO: I’m just so so honored that Chief’s movie was selected for this specific festival - it means the world to me. Can’t wait for the festival to start. My best friend from Germany is flying in to be there for us. It’s just amazing. Looking forward to all the things :)

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Tags:

Superfest: International Disability Film Festival

10 Things You Will Find at This Year’s Superfest That You Won’t Get Anywhere Else (But Should!)

Visitor — Wed, 01 Nov 2017 19:46:36 +0000

Written by: Robyn Ollodort and Martha Jimenez

As we gear up for Superfest International Disability Film Festival 2017 this weekend, we wanted to share key features of the films in the festival that excite us and that are changing the way we see disability. So, in this Buzzfeed-style feature, we present 10 things you’ll find in #Superfest2017 films that you won’t get anywhere else - but should! And don’t forget to buy your tickets to Superfest now before they sell out!

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS MAIN CHARACTERS

In Traveller, A young woman travels from Myanmar travels to Japan, where she finds strength in disability activism and community, and returns home with a newfound sense of pride.

2. DISABILITY FRIENDSHIPS In When Brendan Met Hiroe, a photographer from Australia returns to Japan to reunite with his friend Hiroe, who he met at a blind and deaf/blind workshop the year before.

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

In Sign, two men meet on a train—and a tender and unspoken love story unfolds.

4. DISABILITY AS A SITE OF DISCRIMINATION, NOT SOLELY (PHYSICAL) IMPAIRMENT.

Basketball superstar Chamique Holdsclaw faced six felony counts, the possibility of prison and public attacks on her character.

5. INTERDEPENDENCE (AS CONTRASTED TO INDEPENDENCE)

This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999.

6. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES FACING DIFFICULT REAL-LIFE SITUATIONS.

In Crystal Skin follows a charismatic eleven-year-old named Maria who lives with the limitations imposed by a rare skin disease.

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

In Barber of Augusta, Toronto native Matthew Genser goes to great lengths to find his unexpected superpower: cutting hair.

8. BUT ALSO, DISABILITY AS A CENTRAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ISSUE

“On the Outs” follows three inmates with disabilities as they prepare for reentry, get discharged and navigate the challenges of returning to their old lives.

9. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES DAY TO DAY LIVES This documentary short follows the lives of a deaf couple with hearing children and the unexpected outlet that brings their family closer together.

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

Stab, an animated comic medical memoir dedicated to all those who live with chronic illness or disability.

Buy your tickets now at Superfestfilm.com/tickets!

Tags:

Superfest