Today is the last day to sign up for the Sacramento Public Library’s disability film festival, Superfest Sacramento.
From 5:30 to 7:30 this evening, festival-goers can watch a collection of nine short films selected by disability rights advocates and filmographers. The event is presented via Zoom and is free, although registration is required.
“Celebrate cutting-edge cinema that portrays disability through a diverse, complex and engaging lens,” Sacramento Public Library says on its website. “The festival is one of a few worldwide, completely accessible to film-goers of all kinds.”
The films, as summarized by on the SPL site, are:
- “Alternative Ways of Being Human”—Used assistive devices take on second lives in this documentary about a passionate sculptor in Finland.
- “Stand Up”—For all her life, 30-year–old Jazmine, who uses a wheelchair, has wanted to be an actress. Meeting Ruth, while navigating the tough world of stand-up comedy, she learns that accessibility isn’t just about physical space.
- “Sign at All Times”—A young skateboarder shares his journey to find pride in his deaf identity.
- “Single”—Kim, who was born with one arm, gets set up on a blind date. When she finally meets Jake, she quickly realizes he also has a physical disability, and she is (ticked off).
- “Garden Variety”—A mockumentary about a disabled person’s garden and his unwarranted admirers.
- “Chin Up”—Throughout her childhood, JoAnne loved to draw herself as heroic characters to escape the insecurity and feeling of being different that came with her condition. However, JoAnne never drew her facial features any differently to fit the scene of a heroic warrior or mystical mermaid. This animated documentary touches on poignant milestones that have impacted JoAnne and made her the strong woman that she is today.
- “Gaslit”—A young disabled woman fights to hold on to her identity in the face of the world’s assumptions, and she strives for independence from her parents, who doubt her ability to become a mother.
- “Chief”—This reverent ode to the service dog tells the story of German immigrant Sonja Ohldag, who is diagnosed with a seizure disorder after moving to the U.S. in 1999. Unable to afford a service animal from an organization, Sonja trains her dog herself and takes a chance on Chief, who is not your average service dog.
- “Gaelynn Lea”—Minnesota violinist and disability rights advocate Gaelynn Lea travels the upper Midwest on tour, experiencing the ups and downs of the road while hustling hard to make it as a performer and artist.
For more information about Sacramento Public Library services and events, visit its website.
