Film is a great way to help people understand and connect with different experiences. They challenge our assumptions, encourage empathy, and reveal strengths that people often overlook.
The five short films highlighted here do just that. They celebrate insight, humour, growth, and community, giving a more complete and human view of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). We encourage you to share these films with film lovers as well as anyone interested in learning about FASD!
Canada FASD Conference Film Festival
These four films were runners-up in the Canada FASD Conference Film Festival in October. They stand out not only for their powerful storytelling but also for their strengths-based perspectives:
- Cue to Shine – Eddie Bunkowsky
- An Update from the Man: A Decade on with FASD – Reinier deSmit
- Titoki: A Camp for People with FASD – FASD-Can
- Clearing the Clouds – Melissa Dobson
The Story of AFECT
At the conference, we also premiered a new video introducing CanFASD’s Adult FASD Expert Collaboration Team (AFECT). AFECT was created to ensure that adults with FASD are central to CanFASD’s research and knowledge-mobilization work. This team of self-advocates meets monthly with CanFASD to share lived experience, identify priorities, and help translate research into meaningful, accessible resources.
In the video, AFECT members share their insights, highlight projects they’re proud of, and reflect on their hopes for the future of FASD research and practice. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in the importance of centring lived experience in research.
Why these films matter
Each of these short films tells a different story, but together they share a common message: FASD is not just about challenges – it’s about strengths, creativity, insight, and possibility. They invite viewers to listen more closely, question assumptions, and see people with FASD as whole, capable individuals.
Whether you’re a professional, a family member, an educator, or simply someone who loves meaningful film, these stories are worth watching and sharing! We encourage you to pass these films along to film lovers, colleagues, friends, and anyone who might benefit from a new perspective on FASD.