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.Ten (10) films will be featured. Post-screening Q&A with Sprout Founder and Executive Director, Anthony Di Salvo.

Since its founding in 1979, Sprout has provided a year-round travel program of vacations as well as a year-round program of day and evening cultural, social and art-related activities in New York City for people with developmental disabilities. Since 1995, Sprout has run an annual weekend-long music and arts festival for an average of 225 people with developmental disabilities complete with live bands, video screenings, interactive art projects, carnival games, and other entertainment.

In 1994 Sprout created thier Make-A-Movie Program which uses people with developmental disabilities in all the major acting roles. In 2003 they founded the annual Sprout Film Festival to showcase film and video related to the field of developmental disabilities, made in the United States and abroad. We are very proud to incorporate Sprout Film Festival as part of the Columbia Film Festival!  Buy a Columbia Film Festival PLATINUM All Film Pass ($55) for the entire three (3) days, June 27-29, 2019. A SATURDAY ALL ACCESS DAY PASS is available for $35, unlimited films and events on Saturday, June 29th.

2019 Sprout Film Festival Line Up

Your Rocky Spine

Three couples with learning disabilities travel towards a destination, by foot, by road and by motorbike across a beautiful landscape. Their every gesture turns into a dance. Being Seen A combination of funny, acerbic, and heart-wrenching, these people’s candid and articulate self-awareness quickly shatter preconceptions of the disabled. Rather than defining themselves by their diagnosis, individuals (young and old) strive to create meaning, meet adversity, and dream of their futures.

Moyzee

Moyzee is the singer-songwriter who uses his songs as a platform to be heard. A die-hard romantic, many of hiss songs revolve around love – and especially love for his girlfriend Celeste. As Moyzee’s muse, Celeste has provided the inspiration for a number of love songs including his latest song – Mermaid.

Brian

Brian is a 26-year-old man living in New York who is on the spectrum. He was bullied growing up and found himself turning to substances to cope. His life began to turn around when he eventually became sober and found spiritual fulfillment through practicing and teaching yoga.

What I Like About Myself

As students in a photography group begin practicing interviewing techniques, a simple question receives surprisingly diverse and complex answers.

A Different Kind of Day

A random encounter between 2 young adults with Down Syndrome and a group of youths, has unexpected consequences which change the day for everyone. This tender and comedic 5-minute film, addresses the idea of perception and ability, and does so with humor and grace. Two young adults with Down Syndrome have an unsettling interaction with a group of youths as they go about their Saturday. The consequences change the day for everyone.

Betrayal

A poem written by Anonymous and recited/performed by Nadirah McFadden. This is one in series of 13 short videos featuring poetry written by poets with developmental disabilities. Each poem is recited and performed by young adults with developmental disabilities.

Track by Track

Track by Track follows the story of Kendall Collins, an 18-year-old sketch artist with autism who is on the brink of adulthood. As he prepares for college and promotes his artwork, he must learn to navigate the practicalities of everyday life. Kendall struggles with the tension between the sanctuary of his sketched world and an unknown future in the world of adults. But using his passion for trains and art, he begins to lay tracks for the journey ahead.

Making Waves

Max McAuley is a young, professional dancer with Down Syndrome. In this story, Max is the principal dancer in a choreographed work that is inspired by the watery world of his dreams.

100% Myself

Climbing has helped Georgia, a young woman on the autism spectrum, to confront her issues and realize that, for her, ‘normal’ just isn’t.

Columbia Film Festival is brought to you by the support of our event Title Sponsor Anchor Construction Corporation.