The Sprout Film Festival focuses exclusively on films that celebrate the diverse lives and creativity of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), strives to challenge assumptions and breakdown stereotypes. By introducing powerful, thought-provoking films from around the world to new and ever-more inclusive audiences, we promote greater acceptance, celebrate difference, and light the spark to help make the invisible, visible.

Sprout films feature actors whose lives reflect the joys and challenges their characters face. These are not “star” vehicles for well-known actors to portray individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Rather, all roles depicting persons with disabilities are played by persons with actual disabilities.

The Sprout Film Festival was founded in 2003 and is programmed and supported by Sprout, a New York City based non-profit organization dedicated to bringing innovative programming to individuals with I/DD.