Sprout Films

Sprout Films returns to the  Columbia Festival of the Arts for an evening of poignant, beautiful, humorous and thought provoking short films featuring people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Sprout Flim Festival showcases films related to the field of developmental disabilities, fulfilling its mission to make the invisible visible. About 10 films will be featured. Post-screening Q&A with Sprout Founder and Executive Director, Anthony Di Salvo. 

2018 Sprout Film Festival line up:

Love and Independence in East Providence (USA  10 min)  Lori Sousa knew Peter Maxmean was her soul mate when they first met, and now they are showing how people with intellectual disabilities can live, work and thrive in a community.

Winston's Ghost (USA  9 min)  Though he may not admit it, Ryan Gustman is an artist. In an age where photography is over-saturated, Ryan combines his photography skills and love of urban exploration.

 Go Jackson Doll  (USA  12 min)  A mother’s mental strength is tested when she enrolls her son with autism in an ice skating program.

 Jmaxx  (USA  13 min)  Jarell is a teenager with autism who has learned to use hip-hop dance as a means to communicate his true self to the world.

 Lydian's Space (Australia  3 min)  An insight into the life of Lydian Dunbar an electronic music artist who also creates cross platform artwork that has been exhibited in regional Australian galleries.

 Ben's Filming The Movie  (Australia  7 min)  Benjamin Howard is a 14-year-old boy on the Autism spectrum who loves acting and movies. What he likes about acting is “staring at people, keeping his head very still, speaking like an American and acting as a different person.”

Drumming is Like Thunder (New Zealand  3 ½ min)  Drumming is Like Thunder showcases one human’s showmanship and determination to defy the bullying behavior and his dream to perform in major cities around the globe.

Garrett's Fight (USA  14 min)  An ESPN documentary about Garrett, who was born with Down Syndrome and is training his body and mind for MMA fighting.

Love You Till I Die  (Australia  2 ½ min) Rudely Interrupted, an independent rock group with 3 of the 4 members living with disabilities, releases their 5th studio project ‘Love You Till I Die’. The lead single is incredibly colorful, visually honest and super engaging.

Jason  (USA 3 ½ min) Jason is on the autism spectrum, but this doesn’t stop him from enjoying a busy and active life in his home state of Iowa.