The David Minor Theater was transformed into a platform to highlight the successes of people with autism Saturday afternoon as the downtown theater was the location of the first Autism Rocks Film Festival.
Presented by KindTree, a local organization devoted to helping people with autism, the festival screened four films with positive perspectives toward people with autism. Two of the films, “Autism: the Musical” and “The Horse Boy,” were films made by professional filmmakers.
One film, “Biography of a Dead Tree,” was made by amateur filmmaker Joseph Taylor from Washington, while a shorter remake of the 1988 film “Beetlejuice,” was produced locally in Eugene by Riley Campbell.
The wide variety of films worked to spread knowledge about autism while also showing the accomplishments of people with autism.
“Our point of view is to highlight the successes,” said Tim Mueller, who sits on the board of directors for KindTree. “These are here to help move people’s minds in that direction.”
The aspect of celebration was clear as each film had a positive reception at the end of its viewing.
All films featured in the festival were selected by KindTree’s president, Mary-Minn Sirag.
“It was difficult selecting the movies,” Sirag said. “There were a lot of good movies, but I had to make sure they represented that they were uplifting and not sappy.”
Working to celebrate people with autism, KindTree works year-round by engaging people who have autism in arts, recreation and other community activities.
Outside of the festival, the organization holds monthly support groups, an ongoing art program and an end-of-summer camp retreat.
KindTree’s art program boasts an impressive collection of more than a hundred pieces from international artists. All of the work was produced by people with autism.
KindTree hopes to continue the film festival and gain a larger general audience for its year-round activities.
KindTree hopes more people will see firsthand the positive things created by people with autism.
“There are gifts that come, as well as afflictions,” Sirag said.
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