Ben X

Nic Balthazar / Belgium / Flemish / 93 min

Ben lives in a universe unto itself. He hides from his harsh reality of school, being bullied, and awkward social interactions by escaping into his favorite online computer game, Archlord, where he is safe, strong, and in control of his surroundings. In this remarkable drama, Ben devises a plan to leave his reality and to become the hero he dreams of being.

Crooked Beauty

Ken Paul Rosenthal / Documentary / USA / English / 30 min / Official Website

A visually stunning account of artist-activist Jacks Ashley McNamara’s transformative journey from troubled childhood to psych ward patient to pioneering mental health advocate. This poetic tale reshapes mental health stigmas while re-approaching madness as a tool for creativity, inspiration and hope.

Henry O!

Ziad H. Hamzeh / USA / English / 76 min / Official Website

HENRY O! tells the story of Enrique (Henry) Oliu, a man blind since birth, who has made his major league baseball dream come true. Calling upon his love for sports and an encyclopedic memory for facts and figures, Henry hears the crack of the bat and knows if it’s a single, double, or home run; he listens for the ball singing into the catcher’s mitt and knows if it’s a curve ball, fastball, or change-up. Henry is the analyst for the strongest Hispanic station in Florida’s Tampa Bay Market. At his side in the broadcast booth is his wife Deb, whispering in his ear up-to-the-minute stats.

Praying With Lior

Ilana Trachtman / UK / English / 87 min / Official Website

Lior, who has Down Syndrome, has spent his entire life praying with utter abandon - prompting those around him to call him a “spiritual genius.” Lior’s mother passed away when he was six but her words and spirit hover over the film.  As Lior approaches his Bar Mitzvah, the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony, different characters provide windows into a life spent “praying with Lior.” The movie poses difficult questions about defining disability and who really talks to God.

Shooting Beauty

George Kachadorian / USA / English / 62 min / Official Website

SHOOTING BEAUTY tells the story of fashion photographer Courtney Bent whose career takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a hidden world of beauty at a center for people living with significant disabilities. Shot over the span of a decade, this film puts you in Courtney’s shoes as she overcomes her own unspoken prejudices and begins inventing cameras accessible to her new friends. Courtney’s efforts snowball into an award-winning photography program called “Picture This”—and become the backdrop for this eye-opening story about romance, loss and laughter that will change what you thought you knew about living with a disability—and without one.

Warrior Champions

Craig Renaud, Brent Renaud / Documentary / China, USA / English / 80 min / Official Website

Four Iraq War veterans turn the nightmares of war into Olympic dreams. After losing limbs and suffering paralysis fighting for their country in Iraq, they have set out to do what many thought impossible… but will they make the cut?

 

Richmond