Stepping Out

Pennhurst

March 2019 •English

Segregation, abandonment, and the meaning of home are discussed by the people that lived in, worked at, and crusaded for one of the largest and oldest Intellectual and Developmental Disability Institutions in the United States. The facility, in its closing, challenged society's perception of those with intellectual disabilities and ultimately fought for better rights.

The Fifth Facade: The Making of the Sydney Opera House

December 1973 •English

On 20 October 1973, the Sydney Opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II. From conception to completion, it had taken more than 15 years and over $100 million dollars. In the years since its completion, the Sydney Opera House has become one of the most identifiable of Australia’s icons - ranking with the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Uluru, the koala and kangaroo - and is considered by many to be among the world's great architectural masterpieces.

The Punk Voyage

October 2017 •Finnish

In December 2016 a remarkable chapter in music history was closed as the Finnish punk rock band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (PKN) retired. Punk Voyage is a feature length documentary film about the last years of the band, with all the ups and downs included. After becoming celebrities in Finland, this incredible quartet continued to conquer new fans around the World. In its seven years run PKN played nearly 300 gigs in 16 countries. In 2015 the band was selected to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they played to over 100 million television spectators. However, the busy traveling and success created a lot of pressure within the band: Kari struggled with the temptations and responsibilities brought by publicity; Sami extended his territory to politics and religion; Toni's and the band's roadie Niila's crush to the the same girl caused conflicts; and Pertti, tired of this all, decided to retire.

Into the Spotlight

April 2023 •English

On the heels of a tragedy and the COVID-19 pandemic, a Dallas-based theatre troupe comprised of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are determined to write, rehearse, and perform their 11th annual original musical.

Je suis finissant

August 2019 •French

Rehearsal

October 2018 •English

MINDS Perform is a performing arts group consisting of members with learning disabilities. As they rehearse for a new song, they are transported into a kaleidoscopic world of music and dance. Commissioned for the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.

Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace

February 1972 •English

A shocking exposé of the deplorable conditions and abuses from the Willowbrook State School for children with intellectual disabilities.

Whispers / Megan Cope

November 2023 •English

A documentary short which follows follow Quandamooka artist Megan Cope in the creation of her work 'Whispers' and the lead up to the opening of the exhibition at Sydney Opera House in 2023.

Pumpkin

June 2002 •English

Carolyn's sorority sisters set their sights on the Sorority of the Year award and coaching challenged athletes is their ticket to the trophy. But when the queen of formals finds herself mentoring Pumpkin, a disabled athlete, their two worlds collide.

Sling Blade

August 1996 •English

Karl Childers, a mentally disabled man, has been in the custody of the state mental hospital since the age of 12 for killing his mother and her lover. Although thoroughly institutionalized, he is deemed fit to be released into the outside world.

There's Something About Mary

July 1998 •English

For Ted, prom night went about as bad as it’s possible for any night to go. Thirteen years later, he finally gets another chance with his old prom date, only to run up against other suitors including the sleazy detective he hired to find her.

Nito

October 2003 •Spanish

Nito is a teenager with learning difficulties who has been put into a class with kids younger than him who are always mocking and playing jokes on him. Urged by the ideas they've planted in his head, Nito tries to lose his virginity.

Shinpei

August 2024 •Japanese

An older brother who can't fit into society, a father who has given up on his future, and a younger sister who is tied to the house. This is the story of the small steps these three people take. The Great East Japan Earthquake suddenly changed the peaceful daily life of the people of Fukushima. Many people lost their homes and jobs due to not only the earthquake and tsunami, but also the nuclear accident, and left Fukushima. This is the story of a family living in the aftermath three years later, in Fukushima, where deep scars remain.

Sitaare Zameen Par

June 2025 •Hindi

A disgraced basketball coach is given the chance to coach a team of players who are intellectually disabled, and soon realizes they just might have what it takes to make it to the national championships.

Marvellous

September 2014 •English

Dramatisation of the true story of the life of Neil "Nello" Baldwin. Born with a mild learning disability but without the burden of social embarrassment & how his inexhaustible ability to see the good in any situation overcame any stigma society tried to label him with.

Dominick and Eugene

March 1988 •English

Dominick and Eugene are twins, but Dominick is a little bit slow due do an accident in his youth. They live together, with Dominick working as garbage man to put Eugene through medical school. Their relationship becomes strained when Eugene must decide between his devotion to his brother, or his need to go away to complete his training. Things are also not helped by Dominick's co-worker, or Eugene's budding romance.

A Quiet Life

September 1995 •Japanese

A melodrama about the life of a mentally disabled young man and his devoted sister after their famous novelist father and housewife mother go to Australia on a business trip.

Square Dance

March 1987 •English

An awkward 13-year-old leaves her cranky grandfather in rural Texas, to live with her mother in Fort Worth.

All Five Eyes

Invalid date •English

Set in a small English village in 1967, liberated Marion is exploring the new social freedoms enjoyed by women in the late 1960s while conscientious and self-conscious Cecily runs the local girls school and is Willa’s main carer. Their differences reach a boiling point over their relationship with Willa, which leads to each sister making their own decision on what it means to have a life worth living.

Behaviour

January 2009 •Danish

A young woman, Julie 23, starts her first day at her job, caring for the intellectually disabled. Suddenly she is left alone with two young men she has to take responsibility for.