Press Contact:
Jennifer Sachs
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
(415) 694-7333
Emily Beitiks
The Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability at San Francisco State University
(415) 405-3528
Superfest International Disability Film Festival October Press Event and Preview Screening
SAN FRANCISCO, CA (September 19, 2017): Join us for a Press Conference highlighting the 2017 showcase of films in the 31st Annual Superfest International Disability Film Festival with screenings, open Q&A, and refreshments. There will be advanced screenings of the “Jury’s Choice Award” short, previews of “Best of Festival Full Length Feature” and “Best of Festival short.” Learn about this year’s shorts and full-length features from Myanmar, Germany, Italy, Canada, Australia, Columbia, and across the U.S.
Superfest International Disability Film Festival is the longest-running disability film festival in the world. It celebrates cutting-edge cinema that portrays disability through a complex, unabashed and engaging lens and is accessible to disabled filmgoers.
In addition to international titles, Superfest is proud to announce that this year’s selections include three Bay Area films made by disabled filmmakers. This year’s films explore the full gamut of disabilities including Down syndrome, deafness, autism, psychiatric disability, and others.
Superfest Press Event and Preview Screening – Thursday, October 12,, 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 1155 Market St. 10th Floor, San Francisco
Press RSVP to beitiks@sfsu.edu. Please request ASL interpreting for the press conference by October 6.
THE BARBER OF AUGUSTA
Directed by Michèle Hozer
Canada, 2016, Documentary Short
Liane Yasumoto’s Jury’s Choice Award
Toronto native Matthew Genser goes to great lengths to find his unexpected superpower: cutting hair. Like all superheroes, he has a dark side; but in his costume, he’s invincible. Put on your cape and get lined up for this story that effortlessly melds the challenge, opportunity and humor of living with a disability.
IN CRYSTAL SKIN
Directed by Michaela O’Brien
United States/Colombia, 2016, Documentary Short
Best of Festival, Short
In Bogotá, Colombia, a charismatic eleven-year-old named Maria lives with the limitations imposed by a rare skin disease. Her fierce bond with her mother is tested and strengthened as they struggle to preserve Maria’s swiftly passing childhood.
DEEJ
Directed by Rob Rooy
United States, 2017, Documentary Feature
Best of Festival, Feature
After being abandoned by his birth parents, DJ found not only a loving family but a life in words through a text-to-voice synthesizer. Told by DJ himself, “Deej” was filmed over six years in the American Midwest and chronicles his journey to become Oberlin’s first non-speaking, autistic student.
SUPERFEST INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL 2017
Saturday, November 4
The Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life, Berkeley
Distinct Screenings 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. each followed by Q&A with filmmakers
Sunday, November 5
The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco
Screening and Q&A with filmmakers 1-4 p.m
Different films shown both days, each of which will include filmmaker Q&As and moderated discussion. For a full schedule of the films, visit: http://www.superfestfilm.com/2017-films/.
ABOUT SUPERFEST
Superfest International Disability Film Festival is a showcase of juried films held in San Francisco and Berkeley. What started in 1970 as a small showcase in Los Angeles, has grown into a sold-out international event. As we celebrate our 30th festival, we continue to honor and celebrate the unique contributions of the growing disability arts and culture movement. The festival exhibits the most innovative and provocative works from both seasoned filmmakers and emerging media arts professionals.
We are one of the few festivals, of any kind, in the country that is completely accessible. All films will be presented with captioning and audio-description and all live dialogue will be available with American Sign Language and live captioning. Filmmakers are traveling from Israel, Italy, France, England and Canada to participate in panels, engage with the audience and accept awards.
SUPERFEST PRODUCERS
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired and San Francisco State University’s Paul K. Longmore Institute on Disability together host Superfest, the 31st festival of the longest running disability film festival in the world. All films will be presented with captioning and audio-description and all live dialogue will be available with American Sign Language and live captioning.
Festival coordinator Emily Beitiks said, “Superfest goes way beyond minimum standards for hosting an accessible event. Nondisabled attendees may find that they benefit from these access features, changing the way we experience movie going for the better.”
Screeners, press packets, film stills, filmmaker interviews and contact info, and emcee bios are available upon request.
Also Read: For Immediate Release: March 15, 2019
