The IndependenceWORKS crew rolled out the red carpet on July 17, welcoming JF&CS staff to a dazzling, star-studded film festival. Clients and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) took center stage as they screened the films they wrote, directed, acted in, and produced.

There were eight total films that covered a wide range of genres: Bounty Hunter (Western), Bloodline Rules (Sports Drama), Priceless (Documentary), Steamboat Toddy (Silent Film), Hermoine and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Fantasy), One Small Voice (Music Video), Godzilla vs. King Kong (Sci-Fi), and Jailbreak (Action). There were even awards: Jailbreak won Best Film, Hank won best actor for his work in Priceless, and Lauren was awarded Best Actress for Jailbreak.

Together, the JF&CS community came together to celebrate “the creativity and hard work of our program participants,” said Abby Lail-Franz, Community Advocacy Manager and Emcee for the event. “Their unique visions were brought to life through their storytelling, passion, and dedication.”

Naturally, no film festival is complete without a bit of glitz and glamour—and the IW crew delivered. The ladies arrived in gowns and full glam, while the men looked sharp in their suits. The building itself got the Hollywood treatment, with movie posters, concessions, and every detail thoughtfully curated to set the scene.

The IW Film Festival was a blockbuster hit. Bravo to the entire cast and crew!

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