Disability Archives - Directors Notes

A Teenage Girl With Autism and Her Sister Tackle Life After a Bereavement in Rosie Westhoff’s ‘Our Sister’

DN talks to Rosie Westhoff about crafting a fresh perspective on familial grief, sisterhood and neurodiversity in her affecting drama short.

Documentary

Leo Pfeifer Captures Blind Skater Justin Bishop’s Triumphant Return to the Ramp in ‘One Day You’ll Go Blind’

Leo Pfeifer breaks down the technicality and considerations of contributor comfort behind his naturalistic approach to documentary filmmaking.

Live Action

Tadeusz Lysiak Questions Societal Notions of Beauty and Desirability in Oscar Shortlisted Drama ‘The Dress’

Tadeusz Łysiak discusses working through emotionally demanding scenes with the captivating lead of his prejudice challenging drama.

Live Action, Premiere

A Young Down Syndrome Man Adopts a Heroic Identity to Confess a Lifelong Love in Émile V. Schlesser’s ‘Superhero’

Émile V. Schlesser speaks to DN about the challenges of executing an ambitious water-based set piece for his debut short film 'Supehero'.

Documentary, Live Action

Jerry Rothwell’s ‘The Reason I Jump’ Viscerally Brings the World of Non-Speaking Autism to Life

Jerry Rothwell takes DN inside the 360° sound and hyper-stylised portraiture of his enthralling documentary depiction of life with non-speaking autism.

Documentary

NONO Deconstructs Conventional Portrayals of Disability with Liberating Dance-Doc ‘Toke’

NONO tells DN about the lengthy conversational process that shaped 'Toke' — an intimate dance portrait exploring pain, disability and liberation.

Live Action

Jimmy Olsson Challenges Our Preconceived Notions of Disability and Sexual Desire in Forthright Drama ‘Alive’

Jimmy Olsson returns to discuss why he was drawn to confront the misguided preconceptions about disability and sexual intimacy in his new short 'Alive'.

Live Action, Premiere

A Disabled Comedian Becomes a Father During His Stand-Up Routine in David Abramsky’s One-Shot Short ‘Dad Joke’

David Abramsky details the rigorous preproduction process and memorable audience responses from his one-shot comedy/drama, 'Dad Joke'.

Documentary

Isabel Morales Bondy Documents an Intimate Meeting Between Two Deafblind Women in ‘A Woman like Me’

Isabel Morales Bondy tells DN how she got up-close & personal, documenting the intimate & profound meeting between 2 deafblind women in 'A Woman Like Me'.

Animation, Documentary

LGBTQ+ Learning Disabled Artist Matthew Kennedy Shares His Exploration of Identity Through Film

Director Matthew Kennedy discusses being a spokesperson for the LGBTQ+ learning disabled community and how he explores his identity through film.

Documentary, Music, Premiere

Iqbal Ahmed Pays Homage to the Therapeutic Power of Music in Inspiring Documentary Short ‘Offbeat’

LA-based Writer/Director Iqbal Ahmed takes DN behind the scenes of his inspiring documentary portrait about the therapeutic power of music, ‘Offbeat’.

Film Festival, Live Action

A Down’s Syndrome Boxer Must Withstand a Pre-Bout Battle of Wills in Bugsy Riverbank Steel’s ‘Fighter’

Ten minutes before a match, a Down’s syndrome boxer fights for his right to get in the ring in Bugsy Riverbank Steel’s visceral short.

Disability Tag Archive