This film is offered with Audio Description and Open Captioning

This film version offers audio description, which means that all visual elements are narrated in an audio track that is built into the film file. To access a version of this film without audio description and with open captions, CLICK HERE

Synopsis: Jarell is teenager with autism who has learned to use hip-hop dance as a means to communicate his true self to the world.

Supplemental Program: Join us for an Adaptive Dance/Movement workshop led by community partners Colorado Conservatory of Dance, and Art as Action. Click HERE

Director Ryan Mayers is currently working on WALK WITH FRANK, which tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who walks across New York State to advocate for other survivors of PTSD while confronting his own demons. This project is in the final stages of post-production and will soon be entered into the festival circuit. Learn more at www.walkwithfrankfilm.com or on Facebook @walkwithfrankfilm. Lean more about Ryan’s other work at www.mayersfilms.com.

Image Description: A young black man is centered in the frame wearing black and white pants and a dark green long sleeved shirt. He is in the middle of a dance move with both knees bent, his right knee closer to the floor. He is in a dance studio with wooden floors, and a mirror behind him. One of his classmates is seen in the mirror reflection. The classmate is leaning against one of the walls, and is wearing a lime green shirt with one pant leg rolled up. 

Sponsored by: Jane E Rosenbaum

Community Partners:

Founded in 1872, Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving Colorado. JFS believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to vulnerable individuals and families. JFS offers a variety of programs to help those in need navigate life’s challenges through integrated support. The full continuum of care includes helping older adults stay supported, connected, and engaged as they age while maintaining a high quality of life; providing quality mental health counseling and case management to children, adults, immigrants, and refugees; offering training, job placement, and community enrichment to people with disabilities; and providing housing stability, employment support, and food security to individuals and families. Every year, the agency serves thousands of individuals and impacts more than 25,000 people of all faiths, races, ages, incomes, and abilities.

LOGO DESCRIPTION: Blue & grey text: Jewish Family Service - Jewish Disabilities Advocates

Firefly Autism is a non-profit organization with a mission to transform the lives of children and adults on the autism spectrum. They do this by partnering with families and creating life-long relationships through thoughtful, innovative, empirical learning treatment programs. Their programming decisions are guided by their expertise in child development, the principles of applied behavior analysis, and the importance of functional applied skills. Firefly Autism has been Colorado's leader in autism support and treatment since 2003. 

LOGO DESCRIPTION: Neon green text: Firefly Autism, with four green and blue fireflies surrounding text.

Colorado Conservatory of Dance is a nonprofit organization that believes in a better life through dance. Through training, production, and community engagement, we seek to live out our mission--we unleash individual potential and invigorate community through dance.

LOGO DESCRIPTION: Colorado Conservatory of Dance [Orange Text]

Art as Action, a physically integrative dance company, brings people together at the intersection of dance, (dis)ability and creative potential. Our Reconnect with your Body classes for people with and without Parkinson's explore the power of dance, creativity and artistic expression and enable participants to discover new ways to move their bodies. Dance has the power to transform and heal – plus it’s fun!

LOGO DESCRIPTION: Three bodies dancing, arms connected in a pyramid shape, middle person sitting down, below in white text: Art As Action Dance Company