Official Selection at SXSW EDU 2025
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the SXSW EDU 2025 screening of I Am Disabled, and it was, without a doubt, one of the most touching and transformative experiences I’ve had at a film festival. This heartwarming documentary doesn’t just tell a story—it lives it. It invites you to witness the strength, creativity, and joy of nine young individuals with disabilities as they come together to stage the vibrant musical Seussical.
From the beginning, the film sets a tone of celebration, not of overcoming, but of being. These students aren’t considered exceptional because of their challenges; they are seen as artists, performers, and kids with big dreams and serious talent. That nuance is everything, and it’s handled beautifully.
The musical element is where the film truly soars. The performances are breathtaking — not just technically, but emotionally. The music isn’t just background or narrative support; it’s the heartbeat of the story. Each song and harmony brings the cast closer together and draws us, as the audience, into their world. There’s something deeply connective about hearing a performer pour their entire self into a song. You don’t just listen to it — you feel it. Through this music, the film transcends stereotypes and speaks to something universally human.
The SXSW EDU screening was made even more impactful by the post-film Q&A, where key members of the creative team took the stage: Amy Calderone-Blommer, Producer and Documentary Curriculum Expert; Estlin Feigley, Founder and Creative Director; and Kelli Feigley, Managing Director. Their passion, insight, and commitment to inclusion came through clearly as they discussed the making of the film and its broader educational mission. Obviously, this project is more than a documentary — it’s a movement to spark conversation and action around de-stigmatizing disabilities through arts education and storytelling.
I Am DisABLEd is a true gem—warm, funny, raw, and honest. It doesn’t ask for pity or applause but understanding, connection, and change. And it offers all of that wrapped in vibrant color, music, and heart.
If you ever get to see it, especially in a setting like SXSW EDU where the dialogue around education and inclusion is so alive, don’t hesitate. I think all in education could benefit from seeing it. It’s not just a feel-good film — it’s a feel-deeply film. And we need more of those in the world.