SPELLERS - 4K Version
Hosted by The Eng & Montgomery Families
In-person
When
Apr 30, 2:00 PM PDT
Where
Village Theatre & Art Gallery
233 Front Street, Danville, CA, 94526
Price
Free Screening
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SPELLERS: Movie Premiere and Screening
Winner, Best Documentary, 2023 Phoenix Film Festival
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled.
The film blends beautiful cinematography with heart-wrenching stories of eight spellers and a strong message for every parent of a nonspeaker: your child can do this, too. SPELLERS also demands that teachers, schools, and therapists wake up to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of more than 50 million people worldwide.
About the film
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories of eight nonspeakers—Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, Jamie, Vince, Cade, and Elizabeth—who all found their voice through the miraculous process of using a letterboard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. As Jamie explains, “we think, feel, and learn just like everyone else.”
Genre
Documentary
Runtime
1h 23m
Released
2023
Director
Pat Notaro
Executive Producer
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, Dawnmarie Gaivin, Dana Johnson, Gail Tanner
Cast
Aydan Boden, Jamie Handley, Cade Larson, Vince Rinicella, Madison Hollman, Evan Tastor, Elizabeth Bonker, Sid Sarathy
About the space
Sensory and family friendly, historic theater located in downtown Danville. Parking available on site. Everyone is encouraged to attend; those with an autism diagnosis including (but not limited to) non speaking & unreliable communicators, families, friends, therapists, educators, caretakers, community members, etc.
Indoor Event
Theater