Total Runtime: 37min 47sContent Warnings:<ul><li>Life In The Shadowlands: Discussion of chronic illness, isolation, medical gaslighting, misogyny, prejudice against LGBTQIA+ folks, AIDS; Mention of drug use, teenage alcoholism, sexual situations, and suicidal ideation; Flashing lights</li><li>Living With It: Flashing images; Discussion of chronic illness</li><li>Be A Doll: Discussion of objectification</li><li>"Waiting" by REKLAMA: Medical materials, needle pen injection, and blood</li></ul> <a href="https://www.restfestfilmfestival.org/shorts-block-thirst-hunger" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">Click here to learn about each film in this program.</a>

Life In The ShadowlandsAn autobiographical short film about getting sick with the disabling neuroimmune illness ME/CFS, from the perspective of a young Norwegian artist living in Berlin. While being confined largely to her bed, the narrator gives insight into her journey of finding sanctuary in art and seeking purpose in life, while delving into topics of women's health, witch-hunts, queerness and otherness. ﻿Artist Bio: Sunniva Innstrand (she/her) is an interdisciplinary Norwegian artist based in Berlin, Germany. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from Weißensee Academy of Art Berlin from 2019, and has been living with the disabling neuroimmune illness ME/CFS since 2018. @sunnivainnstrand sunnivainnstrand.com

Discussion of chronic illness, isolation, medical gaslighting, misogyny, prejudice against LGBTQIA+ folks, AIDS; Mention of drug use, teenage alcoholism, sexual situations, and suicidal ideation; Flashing lights

English

Life In The Shadowlands [AD] [CC]

Life In The Shadowlands is an autobiographical short film about getting sick with the disabling neuroimmune illness ME/CFS, from the perspective of a young Norwegian artist living in Berlin. While being confined largely to her bed, the narrator gives insight into her journey of finding sanctuary in art and seeking purpose in life, while delving into topics of women's health, witch-hunts, queerness and otherness.

Living With ItIn this animated film, perfectionist Lee must adapt to the imperfect reality of living with an illness – brought to life as a chaotic supernatural flatmate. ﻿Artist Bio: Specialising in hand-drawn, mixed-media and experimental styles, Holly is an animator, director and writer. Her work includes short films, music videos, projections, interactive designs, and community art projects. She is particularly interested in using fantastical and surreal visuals to explore themes of identity, transformation and under-represented perspectives. More about the film: Perfectionist Lee (Annabelle Davis) grapples with the imperfect reality of living with an illness - brought to life as her destructive supernatural flatmate Bug (Lawrence Chaney). As he brings their home into increasing chaos, Lee longs for the dream home makeover offered by chirpy television show ‘Shack to Chic’ (Rachel Jackson). A dark comedy animated short about accepting the long-term effects of disability.

Flashing images; Discussion of chronic illness

Living With It [AD] [OC]

Perfectionist Lee must adapt to the imperfect reality of living with an illness – brought to life as a chaotic supernatural flatmate.

﻿Be a DollIn a world that commands her to #BeADoll, a woman is increasingly unable to determine whether she is actually a woman or a doll. International Premiere &amp; Online Premiere Artist Bio: alexa dexa is a queer, non-binary, sick, mad, + disabled toychestral electroacoustic composer-performer, technologist, and crip xXgrandmacoreXx sound witch reimagining opera as interactive remote-access rituals that activate transformative care and disabled joy. The originator of divinatory oracle cards that double as indeterminate graphic musical scores, alexa’s crip rituals + readings with their self-published oracle//composition decks offer portals for dreaming our most glorious dreams into existence as we shape + reshape our own nonlinear paths. Bewitch yourself with alexa dexa at <a href="http://www.alexadexa.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.alexadexa.com</a>. More about the film: Be a Doll is an electroacoustic toy opera, composed and performed by alexa dexa, that follows a woman struggling with perfectionist and submissive conditioning in a world that commands her to be a doll so vigorously that she is unable to determine whether she is actually a woman or a doll. Living in a dollhouse filled with toy versions of household items, she performs gender appropriate play routines in a cycle of adulthood mimicking childhood games that mimic adulthood. As each of her toys sound out, they are electronically manipulated and played back in repetitions that mirror the truth that what we give our attention to grows. More about the film: Be a Doll is an electroacoustic toy opera, composed and performed by alexa dexa, that follows a woman struggling with perfectionist and submissive conditioning in a world that commands her to be a doll so vigorously that she is unable to determine whether she is actually a woman or a doll. Living in a dollhouse filled with toy versions of household items, she performs gender appropriate play routines in a cycle of adulthood mimicking childhood games that mimic adulthood. As each of her toys sound out, they are electronically manipulated and played back in repetitions that mirror the truth that what we give our attention to grows.

Be a Doll [AD] [CC]

In a world that commands her to #BeADoll, a woman is increasingly unable to determine whether she is actually a woman or a doll.

“Waiting” by REKLAMAA music video for the track "Waiting" by REKLAMA, a Boston-based indie band. World Premiere Artist Bio: Alex Miklowski (she/her) is a disabled multimedia artist, musician, and filmmaker. She makes tattoos, drawings/paintings, photographs, films/videos, shrines, zines, and music. Her work frequently addresses the failings of capitalism, the American healthcare system, and the ongoing housing crisis. She writes and plays music with her band, REKLAMA, among other musical projects. Originally from Warsaw, Poland, Alex currently lives in Boston, MA with housemates and her cat Doomsday Ramone. IG: @reklamazlamana @alexmiklowski TikTok: @reklamazlamana <a href="http://www.alexmiklowski.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.alexmiklowski.com</a> More about the film: "Music video for the track ""Waiting"" by REKLAMA, a Boston-based indie band. Off of their 5-song Who Swallowed Who EP, out everywhere on streaming 5/12/23 from Light of Day Records as well as on cassette tape.People often talk about the necessity of militantly advocating for yourself within the American healthcare system. Especially if your body relies on this system to get medications and medical supplies that you need daily to survive. What we don't talk about enough is- how do you advocate for yourself staying alive when you no longer wish to live?"

Medical materials, needle pen injection, and blood

“Waiting” by REKLAMA [AD] [CC]

Music video for the track "Waiting" by REKLAMA, a Boston-based indie band.

In this clip, filmmaker alexa dexa introduces themself and their film, Be A Doll.

An Introduction to "Be A Doll" from the Filmmaker: alexa dexa [AD] [CC]

Shorts Block: Thirst / Hunger [AD] [CC]/[OC]

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We are honored to present 28 short films/video artworks from Disabled, Deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad artists. Click on a program below to get started! And we hope to see you at Festival Events! 

A virtual film/video art festival created by/for the Disabled, d/Deaf, chronically ill, neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or mad community. No need to get out of bed or off the couch. No worries if you’re half-asleep. You are always welcome here.