SPELLERS - 4K Version
Hosted by KultureCity
In-person
When
Apr 30, 5:30 PM CDT
Where
Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema
1821 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, AL, 35203
Price
Free Screening
Spellers: Movie Premiere and Screening
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled.
As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories of eight nonspeakers—Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, Jamie, Vince, Cade, and Elizabeth—who all found their voice through the miraculous process of using a letterboard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. As Jamie explains, “we think, feel, and learn just like everyone else.”
The film blends beautiful cinematography with heart-wrenching stories of these eight spellers and a strong message for every parent of a nonspeaker: your child can do this, too. SPELLERS also demands that teachers, schools, and therapists wake up to the reality that we may have underestimated the abilities of more than 50 million people worldwide.
About the film
Inspired by the book Underestimated, the new full-length documentary SPELLERS challenges conventional wisdom regarding a group relegated to society’s margins: nonspeakers with autism, who most “experts” believe are cognitively disabled. As the film opening asks, “What if we’ve been wrong…about every single one of them?” SPELLERS answers that question, in convincing fashion, through the stories of eight nonspeakers—Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, Jamie, Vince, Cade, and Elizabeth—who all found their voice through the miraculous process of using a letterboard to communicate their thoughts and feelings. As Jamie explains, “we think, feel, and learn just like everyone else.”
Genre
Documentary
Runtime
1h 23m
Released
2023
Director
Pat Notaro
Executive Producer
Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg, Donnie Wahlberg, Dawnmarie Gaivin, Dana Johnson, Gail Tanner
Cast
Aydan Boden, Jamie Handley, Cade Larson, Vince Rinicella, Madison Hollman, Evan Tastor, Elizabeth Bonker, Sid Sarathy
About the space
PARKING INFORMATIONTHE PARKING GARAGE AT THE PIZITZ BUILDING:The Pizitz parking deck entrance is located on the corner of 1st Avenue North & 18th Street North. The parking deck opens at 6:30 a.m. and closes at 12:30 a.m. STREET PARKING:Metered street parking is available throughout most of downtown Birmingham. Paying the meter is only required between the hours of 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday-Friday, making street parking free in the evenings and on weekends. Please note, most City of Birmingham meters accept nickels, dimes and quarters only.ADDITIONAL PARKING OPTIONS:MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER PARKING GARAGE:If street parking and/or the Pizitz parking garage are not available to you, we recommend the parking deck at The McWane Science Center. McWane’s parking deck offers safe and convenient parking on 2nd Avenue North between 18th and 19th Streets from 6:30am to 6:30pm.
theater
Indoor Event
Wheelchair accessible