The kids of SPELLERS just swept the Phoenix Film Festival
The world is about to find out.
If you’re following along with the wild ride of the non-speaking autistic kids and young adults who are now fully and eloquently communicating with their families and teachers through Spelling-to-Communicate, you heard a few weeks ago that their documentary SPELLERS was an official selection to be screened at the Phoenix Film Festival. The festival ran from March 23rd through last night, April 2nd, and SPELLERS had four showings: March 31st, April 1st, and twice on April 2nd—with three of the shows selling out.
I woke up this morning to see photos of these three proud grins and trophies in hand.
The festival screened over 150 films with 12 in the “Competition” category, and SPELLERS took the awards for both Donor’s Choice Best Documentary and Best Documentary of the entire festival, and they did it on April 2nd, World Autism Day, of all days.
Show your support for SPELLERS by purchasing a “Get On Board” t-shirt from the official Spellers Freedom Foundation, or make a donation here. I know you want to see this film! And soon you can! Beginning April 20th, there will be private screenings through Kinema. For information about becoming a SPELLERS movie host in your town, join their Facebook group. You can also follow this link, scroll down to “Create Screening Event” and go from there.
Congratulations to all the guys and girls who made SPELLERS come to life. All the glory is yours.
LQ
I was at the Phoenix Film Festival this weekend and saw this AMAZING documentary. Tears, laughter and deep inspiration was the experience of myself and the whole audience. I loved how the film took the wonderful book "Underestimated" even further. To be in the room with the amazing young people and their families who are featured in the film, while watching the documentary was a very powerful experience. My son has cerebral palsy and did not speak for the formative years of his life. Spelling 2 Communicate would have been a game changer for my son and our family for us during those years -- as it is for the families in the S2C community. I think that is a noteworthy point. There are many people who do NOT have autism but ARE non-speakers. This powerful doorway can open up their lives as well. Huge kudos to all involved! Let the Spellers Revolution continue! ~ Kellie Burkhart
This makes me get goose bumps! What an honor!