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2009 Short Film Competition

still from Mon Ami Claude

Emerging Division

1st Place: Mon Ami Claude (dir. Yves Langlois)
A biography about Claude, a person with severe physical disabilities. View Mon Ami Claude

2nd Place: When I'm Not Alone (dir. Rhianon Gutierrez)
Born female but raised as a male for the first twenty-eight years of his life, Sam Durbin experienced unspeakable abuse, never learned to read and write, and drifted in and out of institutions. Doctors labeled him a "hopeless case". He was homeless and alone when he found Integrity House, a clubhouse for people with disabilities in Southern California, where he learned to read, write, and advocate for himself, eventually becoming a published author and nationwide advocate for people with disabilities. View When I'm Not Alone

3rd Place: Rena (dir. Traci Duran)
Rena was born in Serbia with a rare birth defect and adopted into a 10-person family at age 12. At age 4, she weighs sixteen pounds and with the help of her family, is learning how to adapt to her disabilities and let her beautiful personality shine through each day.

Scholastic Division

1st Place & Audience Favorite: Slice of Life (dir. Austin Bouse)
A young man, who is attempting to complete his homework is bothered by a classmate who is gossiping. The film shows how he eventually drives her away so he can complete his work in peace.

2nd Place: Dan the Man (dir. Jake Mayers)
Dan the Man is a short documentary about the uncle of the filmmaker, who has Down Syndrome. The movie depicts Dan's daily life and struggles, while simultaneously showing his fun, loving, charismatic side. View Dan the Man

3rd Place: Lloro por Barbara (dir. Rene Requenez)
I made this video in honor of my special best friend and provider, Barbara Cantu, who spent months studying abroad in France. Despite the thousands of miles separating us, we kept in touch daily through the internet, providing that true friendship has no boundaries. Using an Eye Tech eye tracking device, Photoshop for special effects, and a program called DVD X-show, I took pictures that she had been sending me and photos of us together to produce a video that revolved around a heart felt song by Enrique Iglesias called “Lloro Por Ti”, which translated means “crying for you”. It was the perfect song because it describes how the person misses his loved one without putting a label on the type of relationship. Adding to the surprise was that the song hadn’t been released yet, so everything about my video was a surprise to Barbara! View Lloro por Barbara

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