Sprout is an organization that provides "innovative programs for people with developmental disabilities." Each year, they host a film festival where they show films--documentaries, shorts, music videos, narratives, and animations--related to those people who have developmental disabilities. The films, as with their mediums, are about a variety of topics and I chose to see a few of them over the past two days.
The Sprout Film Festival, which was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has 9 programs this year with central themes to each one. I was fortunate enough to view Programs 1 and 7--1 being about inclusion and 7 being about the impact on family members. Program 1 showed Including Samuel and Look, I'm In College!--the first one created by Samuel's father, a photojournalist, who documented his son growing up with Cerebral Palsy. Look, I'm In College! introduces the viewers to four students who have Autism and are in NYC's District 75 but, being college age, are part of a pilot program with Pace University allowing them to take class on the college campus while still being covered under their public school education.
Tonight's program 7, about families, showed Ups Not Downs, Siblings, Fathers' Voices, and The Teachings of Jon. I'm definitely glad I had the opportunity to view some of these films and learn more about the field I find so fascinating--from new perspectives too!