Cool C.A.T.S. Club

If a picture is worth 1000 words, imagine the impact of a short film. And not just any short film, but a collection of powerful narratives created by and about people with disabilities. This year, The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s (The Arc PPR) Fourth Annual Achieve with Us Colorado Film Festival will celebrate ‘everyday heroes,’ those women, men and youth making strides to achieve a better life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community and abroad. The films range from animated shorts to live action films, each reflecting the diverse abilities of individuals with disabilities.

“Each year we hope to have a more thoughtful, funnier, touching and exciting selection of films. 2016 is no exception, with seven films that will leave you unhappy about having to wait an entire year for our next Film Festival,” Craig Severa, film curator and judicial advocate, said. “We have four insightful American films, the longest of these entitled, “Think Normal” is Jason McElwain’s story (The Magic of J-Mac), and has inspired people around the world. The shortest entry is a two-minute film from Brazil, a music video that makes a profound statement while piercing your heart with great joy, to the music of Radiohead. It’s a perfect film,” Craig added. “My personal favorite is entitled “Wayne,” a film from New Zealand, about a man with limited communication skills, who learns the harsh reality of love and romance. These films will change your perception of what you may think you know about people and disability, while creating a dialog regarding what disability is and what people with developmental disabilities can achieve.”

The Arc PPR’s annual film festival has gained momentum in recent years and is growing in popularity. Last year, the event boasted over 250 attendees, with hopes for even greater participation this year. The Colorado Springs community can look forward to 2016’s event on Wednesday, March 23, at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center, with three separate showings: 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public and is part of a continuing movement to provide information and education to the general public about the abilities of people living with disabilities. Ticket information will be available soon, but for now, mark your calendars for March 23!

If you attended last year’s “Achieve with Us Film Festival,” we invite you to share any of your favorite highlights or memories in the comments box below!