Archive 06 Films
October 7, 2006
Synopsis: A comedy about two men without disabilities attempt to “rig” the Special Olympics to pay off a debt by having one pose as an athlete with developmental disabilities. The cast includes Johnny Knoxville, Katherine Heigl of Gray’s Anatomy, and actual Special Olympians. Running time is one hour, 34 minutes. Rating: PG-13.
Speaker: Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D.
October 21, 2006
FAMILY DAY – featuring a selection of “shorts”
The Great Little Mouse: Written by Mary Egan, a woman with developmental disabilities, this film features a flying mouse that helps promote togetherness of people both with and without disabilities. Running time is 12 minutes. Unrated.
Smudge: A Christmas tale based on the best selling children’s book “How Smudge Came.” It is a story of a young woman with Down syndrome and her love of a stray puppy. Running time is 23 minutes, 14 seconds. Unrated.
Educating Peter: A documentary chronicling the school year of a third grade class that tests the limits of federal legislation requiring mainstreaming children with disabilities into public schools. The film focuses on Peter Gwazdauskas, a third grader who has Down syndrome and the educational challenges he faces. This documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. Running time is 30 minutes. Unrated.
Speakers: People Inc.’s Kids on the Block Educational Puppet Group
October 28, 2006
Synopsis : Written, produced, directed, and edited by Duane Graves, this documentary involves one of Duane’s childhood friends who has Down syndrome. For over a year, the film follows Rene Moreno, 23 years old, and shifts the viewer from lighthearted to melancholy to solemn emotions. Running time is one hour, 22 minutes. Unrated (strong language).
Award: Best Documentary: Williamsburg Brooklyn Film Festival 2001, Temecula Valley International Film Festival 2000, and Fort Worth Film Festival 2000.
Speaker: Duane Graves; writer, director, producer and editor of the documentary
February 24, 2007 (Rescheduled)
Synopsis: A movie about human determination that just happens to also be a great sports film! This Academy Award nominated documentary chronicles the lives of full-contact rugby players with quadriplegia going for gold at the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Running time is one hour, 28 minutes. Rating: R.
Award: Documentary Audience Award and Special Jury Prize for Editing at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. The film was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Documentary category.
Speaker: Mark Zupan, cast member and Paralympic Rugby Athlete
( Mark's bio in PDF format)
Archive 06 Speakers
Speaker: Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D.
(Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D. bio in PDF format)
October 7, 2006
THE RINGER
Speakers: People Inc.’s Kids on the Block Educational Puppet Group
October 21, 2006
FAMILY DAY – featuring a selection of “shorts”
Kids on the Block is an internationally acclaimed disability awareness program that educates children about people with disabilities and acceptance of differences through the use of puppet theater. The Japanese style of puppetry used is called Bunraku and is extremely effective in creating an atmosphere where children feel comfortable asking questions. Performances encourage children to see people with disabilities from a new perspective; as other children with strengths and weaknesses, just like themselves. Kids on the Block relays the message that being different is a universal condition that should be celebrated!
Find out more about Kids on the Block: http://www.people-inc.org/kidsontheblock/
Speaker: Duane Graves; writer, director, producer and editor of the documentary
October 28, 2006
UP SYNDROME
Duane Graves was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. After receiving a degree in TV/Film from Texas A&M - Corpus Christi. He shot the critically-acclaimed documentary Up Syndrome, an intimate portrait of his childhood friend Rene Moreno who was born with Down Syndrome. Graves also produced and edited the film, which won three Best Documentary awards at festivals across the country including the 2001 Slamdance Film Festival. Currently he runs a production company, Greeks Productions, with fellow film school alum Justin Meeks.
Find out more about Duane Grave: http://www.trisomyfilms.com/bio.html
Emcee
The emcee for the disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series will be People Inc.'s Director of Training David Mack-Hardiman. He is an engaging presenter who has been invited to speak at numerous regional and statewide conferences. David Mack-Hardiman has more than 30 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities as a passionate advocate for dignified care.
February 24, 2007 (Rescheduled)
Mark Zupan
Cast member and Paralympic Rugby Athlete
( Mark's bio in PDF format)
Archive 06 Program
October 7:
Film: The Ringer
Speaker: Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D.
October 21:
Film: FAMILY DAY – featuring a selection of “shorts”
Speaker: Kids on the Block
October 28:
Film: Up Syndrome
Speaker: Duane Graves; writer, director, producer and editor of the documentary.
February 24, 2007 (Rescheduled)
Film: MURDERBALL
Speaker: Mark Zupan, cast member and Paralympic Rugby Athlete
( Mark's bio in PDF format)
