“I’m an Artist” is a film about students with learning disabilities including autism at special needs schools who achieve confidence, positive reinforcement and hope through the schools’ art program. This documentary provides a glimpse into the daily struggles and challenges that children with learning disabilities face everyday. At the heart of the film is the school’s art teacher, Mary Jo. Her unwavering enthusiasm for her students show that students with learning and emotional disabilities can achieve more growth than most people believe possible.

Joseph Hammond and John Sanvidge Producer and Editor of the film I'm an Artist

Joseph Hammond, John Sanvidge, Marry Jo of the film I'm an Artist with Melissa McQuilkin and Best Buddies team at Fort Lauderdale Film Festival

The film will be screened Friday Oct. 30 at 5:45pm as part of the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival.   You can watch the trailer of the film and buy tickets for the screening and charity event via the link below: www.imanartistmovie.com.  In conjunction with the Florida premiere of our documentary, we are excited to host a pre-screening charity event with Best Buddies, a non-profit which creates opportunities for friendships and employment for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We hope you will be able to join us for this exciting evening on October 29th at The Dubliner Irish Pub in Mizner Park from 6:30 to 8:30PM. Please see the attached flyer with more information.

I’m an Artist tells the story of the often hidden children of our times-students with learning disabilities. The film follows several junior and high school students with autism, Down syndrome, behavioral issues and other learning disabilities who collaborate with their dedicated art teacher to create artwork for their first big, professional art gallery exhibition. The documentary also offers an inside view into the lives of children with special needs by following them to their prom, field day and senior trip. The heart of the film lies with the students’ art teacher, Mary Jo, who displays unwavering enthusiasm for her students and helps them gain self-confidence, because with art, there are never any mistakes. This is an inspiring and heartwarming documentary about one amazing teacher and some very gifted students who remind us of the endless potential and remarkable abilities of children with special needs.