Following the success of the Autism Film Club last year, Ambitious about Autism will bring four more of the best and most recent films about autism straight to your computer screen for free. Autism Film Club will run throughout April 2013 as part of World Autism Awareness Month and each screening will be followed by a live online Q&A with the director of the film.

Registrations for Autism Film Club 2013 are now closed.

The films

Fly Away

USA / 2010 / colour / not rated / 80 minutes

Was streamed on our website on Wednesday 3 April 2013.

Directed by Emmy Award winner Janet Grillo, Fly Away is a powerful story about Jeanne and her teenage daughter Mandy who has autism.

One day, Jeanne encounters Tom, who sparks a romantic interest, but she finds juggling Mandy’s care and her own career leaves little room for a new relationship. As the pressures of work and her child’s needs increase, she must decide whether or not to enroll Mandy in a therapeutic residential facility.

Jeanne is confronted with the most difficult decision a parent can make: to let go, allowing her child to grow, but also grow apart; or to hold on tight and fall together.

A Different Kind of Cool

USA / 2011 / colour / not rated (contains swearing) / 88 minutes

Was streamed on our website on Wednesday 10 April 2013.

A Different Kind of Cool is Jack Gallagher’s critically-acclaimed stand-up show which takes a humorous and insightful look at how we learn to accept each others’ differences… starting with his own family.

Tackling subjects as diverse as Facebook, Halloween and prescription drugs, Jack takes us from Cape Cod to Sacramento and back as he examines his role as the father of a truly unique young man; his son Liam who has autism.

Too Sane for This World

USA / 2011 / colour / not rated / 74 minutes

Was streamed on our website on Wednesday 17 April 2013.

Many adults discover their autism much later in life, and knowing that you are on the spectrum can bring a great relief and understanding of oneself, but also a label that brings its own set of discrimination.

Too Sane for This World features interviews with 12 adults on the autism spectrum; it exhibits the strengths, discusses the challenges and exposes the need for society to address the concerns being voiced within the autism community.

George

USA / 1996 / colour / not rated / 87 minutes

Was streamed on our website on Wednesday 24 April 2013.

Directed by Henry Corra and Grahame Weinbren, George is described by Amy Taubin in The Village Voice as ‘an exceptionally intelligent and moving documentary’ that explores Corra's twelve year old autistic son George, who uses his own video camera to make a movie within the movie.

The film is about how we define normalcy. As Henry challenges the notions of what is ‘normal’, George interviews his dog, family and friends; takes flying lessons; and gets kicked out of the White House while trying to meet President Bill Clinton.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Autism Film Club, please contact Mark Frodsham at mfrodsham@ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk