Kevin Spencer Documentary Wins 2nd Award
Category: News Posted by: C. DENNIS SCHICK
“POWERFUL MEDICINE: SIMPLY MAGIC” is a short documentary about self-discovery and resilience told through the voices, faces, and hands of incredible individuals who struggle with some of life’s difficult challenges. The reality is these individuals don’t want our sympathy; but, in order to flourish, they do need our understanding and support. This film shares the real stories of real people from around the world and their efforts to overcome what others might consider “impossible” odds. Most importantly, it’s about hope – the hope and confidence they gain by achieving the “impossible.” Their stories are inspirational, motivating and life changing!
The film was completed in July 2014, and made its debut in Portugal at the Division of International Special Education and Services Conference in Braga, Then it was accepted as an official finalist for the Outside the Box Film Festival in Bakersfield, California, then the Hollywood Short Film Festival (California), the Richmond International Film Festival (Virginia), and the Inspiration Film Festival (Florida).
The film was named the Best Short Documentary in the Disabilities Track at the Outside the Box Film Festival in November. And in February it was named the Best Short Documentary from the Hollywood Short Film Festival. Kevin Spencer flew to California between shows to accept the award at a ceremony, for a screening, and to participate in a question-and-answer discussion with the audience.
Here is a link to the festival, to see how they do it: http://hsff.weebly.com/program--tickets.html and here are a couple of links to the film itself: www.JoinTheMove.com and www.SimplyMagicTheFilm.com
Here is some of the text on the Healing of Magic website about the issues behind the documentary:
Almost every person in every society around the world has been touched in some way by a person living with disability. Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, extended families, and friends – all have been impacted by the life of someone with a developmental or intellectual disability.
Helping people with disabilities is our passion. Working with these individuals has changed our lives in so many ways. And we want to show others just how amazing they really are. That is the motivation behind all the work you will find featured on this website.
People with disabilities are often thought to be different from the rest of us. They’re not. They have hopes and dreams just like you and me, but their futures are often molded by the attitudes and perceptions we have about them. If we don’t change our way of thinking, then nothing will change. In spite of international laws and policies, many people with disabilities still find themselves pushed to the margins of our societies. And almost all encounter prejudice, bullying, insensitive treatment, and discrimination. These attitudes and actions cause their world to become smaller. Their opportunities become more limited, and, ultimately, they withdraw from the wider community.
That’s not acceptable – and that has to change. We can think of no better time than now to confront these attitudes in a positive way and jump-start the change that can make a difference in their lives.
As a global society, it is time for all of us to start appreciating what they can do and stop focusing on what we believe they can’t do.