Editor's note — A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled the film's title.
Local educators and filmmakers have come together to tell authentic stories about and with youth with disabilities. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
The Visibility Film Fest coming to Harrisonburg on Wednesday will showcase locally-produced movies about disability awareness and empowerment. One, titled "Elemental," is a collaboration between the "I'm Determined" project and the Health Education Design Group. Both are programs housed at James Madison University.
"I'm Determined" is a statewide initiative that aims to promote agency and self-determination among youth with disabilities.
JESSE RODRIGUEZ: They really breathe life into the project by sharing their stories, their experience as a youth with a disability in the school system and beyond.
Jesse Rodriguez is a co-coordinator of the program. He and Kendal Swartzendruber, the other coordinator, were formerly special education teachers at Montevideo Middle School.
KENDAL SWARTZENDRUBER: We kind of operate as a hub of innovation and creativity … because we're valuing a voice that is often not heard. A lot of the ideas that are brought forth by young people are kind of on the precipice of change, and thinking about things differently.
Their work includes supporting students advocating for school accommodations and navigating relationships. They partnered with filmmakers Patrick Fitzgerald and Alex Kent to produce a series of short films. Here's Kent.
ALEX KENT: What we wanted was to kind of be inside the characters' heads. … We're trying to emulate the feelings of being in high school and of being these particular human beings.
Authenticity was key. The team had one of the "I'm Determined" youth leaders help edit the script for accuracy – and she ended up landing a leading role.
"Elemental" will premiere alongside two other films at Court Square Theater on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
