International Day of Persons with Disabilities takes place on Saturday, December 3, and Inclusion Powell River will mark the day with a film festival.
“The films are about people with disabilities and people with disabilities are included in the films,” said Inclusion Powell River executive director Lilla Tipton. “They are some of the actors and actresses in the films.”
According to Tipton, the majority of the films in the 90-minute program come from Sprout, a New York-based organization that gives people with developmental disabilities the chance to star in and be part of the creative video-making process. Tipton said there will also be local content.
“One of the films being shown will be from Inclusion BC and then we’re going to show one or two locally made films by people we serve and support,” said Tipton.
Two of the films are from Inclusion Powell River’s 60th Anniversary in 2015. According to Tipton, local filmmaker Claudia Medina helped with some of the films made by people the agency supports.
Another movie to be screened is Bird Set Free by filmmaker Lorelei Reed.
“My film is about finding your freedom,” said Reed. “Feeling like you’re stuck and not being able to say anything and feeling all the depression and all of the blackness of feeling isolated.”
Intended to help breakdown disability barriers and celebrate abilities, International Day of Persons with Disabilities has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992.
According to Tipton, Powell River is an inclusive community.
“That’s what families of people with disabilities tell us,” she said. “They feel quite supported here and it’s not just services, it’s the members of the community who are generous and welcoming to people with developmental disabilities.”
The film festival takes place 2:30 pm Saturday, December 3, at Jean Pike Centre. Admission is $5.
