The Documentary & Project Vision
THE NARRATIVE FOR EMBRACED, A FEATURE-LENGTh DOCUMENTARY
The Logline: Embraced crisscrosses the US and Canada asking why 1 in 20 children have an FASD yet, it is an outsider among the cadre of mental and physical disabilities when it causes so much pain and is preventable!
The Synopsis: Embraced: Truth About Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, also known as FASD, is a comprehensive portrait of our planet’s number one congenital disability and its impact on every aspect of society.
Embraced explores why this condition is sorely misunderstood. It addresses how a collective skepticism has led to insufficient funding for research and education, has an unbearable stigma and discrimination of those affected, and the copious tragedy—it is preventable. By conservative estimates it’s 5% of our Western population and as high as 25% in parts of South Africa.
A framework of three raw stories woven with interviews focuses on family, classroom, and criminal justice leads the film, then highlights the controversy questioning its very existence. It provides comprehensive research surrounding the neuroscience and medical aspects of this brain-based condition and concludes with stories of success and hope. Embraced pulls from its vast global network in the FASD community and sets the stage to open dialogue for changing the conversation about this hidden disorder that touches every thread in the fabric of our society.
The Film Spans: Family, Classroom, Criminal Justice, Controversy, Neuroscience, that ends with Hope and Success stories. The film will be at approx. 90-minutes long and accompanied by a pre-recorded discussion panel.
Goal: The goal is to leverage awareness that will reduce the number of babies born with alcohol-related brain injuries and spark transformational conversations concerning the stigma, skepticism, and inequity surrounding the associated mental health issues of FASD.
Distribution: The plan is to release the film as online watch-parties in collaboration with community organizations and nonprofits—providing an opportunity for our fan-base to invite friends and family into the conversation. (if available, there will be a film release in theaters in several cities on the same night/as a united FASD event, formatted as a fundraiser for your FASD local nonprofit. Shorter educational segments will be made available as outreach, advocacy, and training tools to create a system of better understanding and support.
Supported by the National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Red Shoes Rock.
Sample Clips
