The short films featured in this year’s Sprout Film and Art Festival are from the Sproutflix company based in New York City.

Sproutflix hosts the largest and most diverse collection of films featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) on the marketplace. With over 280 titles, Sproutflix hopes to reinforce accurate portrayals of individuals within this community, help breakdown stereotypes and promote a greater acceptance of differences and awareness of similarities.

Below are the titles and summaries of this year’s film selections.

ME AND MY BROTHER
4 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2020 / UK

In the words of his Mum and Dad, ‘Cam’s outlook on life is beautifully uncomplicated’. Nine-year-old Cam was diagnosed with Autism in 2019, but the family has always known that he walks to the beat of his own drum – they’re just trying to keep up. The East family, or little Eastlings as they call themselves, are learning to adapt to the world of an autistic child with fun and positivity at the core, but life’s not always easy. Who better to have your back than your big brother – meet Zach! He’s simply asking the world to listen and to see his little brother, Cam, for ‘who he is’ and not just by ‘how he is’. He’s hoping his words will stay with you forever and help you to understand autism a little bit better… Will you listen?

BROOKLYN LOVE TALES
12.5 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2016 / USA

A personal look into the lives of three couples with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Alan and Cathy met in 1985 over a “romantic Twinkie” in Flatbush, Brooklyn. After 3 years of dating they decided to tie the knot. In 1965, at the age of 14, Marty and Arlene met – since then they’ve been inseparable. It’s a Sprouflix Production movie.

RYAN MATTHEWS: BASICALLY ME
9 1/2 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2014 / USA

Ryan Matthews is an accomplished artist who is on the spectrum. Since childhood he has been perfecting the expression of his singular subject: TRAINS. Ryan talks about the evolution of his work, how art opened him to the colors of the world and how it shaped his journey from isolation to a bright future expanding before him.

IN MY HEAD AND HEART (UK)
3 1/2 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2019 / USA

This short film provides a glimpse into the working lives of three neurodivergent artists and their understanding of themselves and their craft.

CLOSE MY EYES (Australia)
2 1/2 MIN / MUSIC VIDEO / 2010 / AUSTRALIA

One of Australia’s most celebrated bands, Rudely Interrupted is an independent rock group with five of the six members living with disabilities.

Rudely Interrupted teamed up with innovative director Tov Belling to create a sweeping video that so slowly and cleverly reveals the characters behind this slice of pitch perfect indie pop. Making huge waves at home and overseas, Rudely Interrupted continue to wow audiences, and go from musical strength to strength.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE? (Australia)
15 MIN / DOCUMENTARY / 2020 / AUSTRALIA

Eight adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities interview their parents about what it was like when they were children, specifically their parent’s experiences within the medical and educational systems. The documentary reveals issues of prejudice and injustice within two systems we should be able to rely on and trust the most. As well as this, it showcases the unconditional and powerful love between the interviewees and their parents.