Inclusion Films Trains People with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities to Become Filmmakers

Founded by Hollywood filmmaker and former special education teacher Joey Travolta, Inclusion Films trains children, teens and adults with developmental disabilities to become filmmakers through its short film camps and vocational film workshops.

Teens and young adults with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome acquire both professional filmmaking and practical life skills in two-week-long short film camps. Participants work together in small groups to write, perform and shoot their film with professional support and equipment in an environment that encourages confidence, communication and collaboration. Upcoming camps will be hosted by Futures Explored Inc., MarbleJam Kids and the Arts for Autism Foundation of Pittsburgh in California, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. Click on the link for dates and contact information.

Vocational film workshops use a collaborative, hands-on curriculum to teach adults with developmental disabilities all aspects of film production. Each semester, students work together to develop and shoot smaller video projects and a longer thesis film. The objective of the workshops is to train students in the skills needed for a career in the film and media production while helping students to develop transferable independent living skills. The workshops are presented in partnership with Futures Explored Inc. and Employment and Community Options (E&CO) and will take place at five locations throughout California. For more information and contact information, click on the link.

To see some of the films created by workshop participants, check out the Inclusion Short Films series on Yurview.