Self-Advocacy

Lead Author Major

Rukhsar Shiraz, Aqsa Ishtiaq, Isabella Bautista, Vivianna Ariz, Jade Tom

Lead Author Status

Freshman

Second Author Status

Freshman

Third Author Status

Freshman

Fourth Author Status

Freshman

Fifth Author Status

Freshman

Format

Student Film Festival

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Patti McCarthy

Faculty Mentor Department

English/GE

Abstract/Artist Statement

Self Advocacy is about representing oneself or one's views or interests. In our film, our main character Emily, is forced to participate in a spelling bee competition because both her parents and grandparents were national champions. Emily isn't passionate about spelling bees, instead she wants to become a screenwriter. She wants to tell her parents that she doesn't like doing spelling bee competitions, but she is afraid they will reject her and her passion for screenwriting. She agonizes throughout the film trying to build up enough confidence to tell her parents. Both her spelling bee tutor and her friend encourage her to tell the truth. Finally, Emily finds the courage within herself and lets her parents know she wants to take a different path. In the end, her parents accept her decision and support her screenwriting passion.

We wanted to show how arduous it is for students to do what they want to do especially when they are being pressured by their family to do something else. A lot of students battle with this difficult problem. Some parents want students to pursue one thing, while the students know in their hearts that in order to be happy they need to choose a different path. In this film we wanted to promote self-advocacy. We want to stress that listening to your family is important, but what's much more important is listening to your self.

Location

Janet Leigh Theatre

Start Date

9-5-2017 7:00 PM

End Date

9-5-2017 10:00 PM

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May 9th, 7:00 PM May 9th, 10:00 PM

Self-Advocacy

Janet Leigh Theatre

Self Advocacy is about representing oneself or one's views or interests. In our film, our main character Emily, is forced to participate in a spelling bee competition because both her parents and grandparents were national champions. Emily isn't passionate about spelling bees, instead she wants to become a screenwriter. She wants to tell her parents that she doesn't like doing spelling bee competitions, but she is afraid they will reject her and her passion for screenwriting. She agonizes throughout the film trying to build up enough confidence to tell her parents. Both her spelling bee tutor and her friend encourage her to tell the truth. Finally, Emily finds the courage within herself and lets her parents know she wants to take a different path. In the end, her parents accept her decision and support her screenwriting passion.

We wanted to show how arduous it is for students to do what they want to do especially when they are being pressured by their family to do something else. A lot of students battle with this difficult problem. Some parents want students to pursue one thing, while the students know in their hearts that in order to be happy they need to choose a different path. In this film we wanted to promote self-advocacy. We want to stress that listening to your family is important, but what's much more important is listening to your self.