D4D Film Festival, Feb. 20–22
Join us for these powerful documentary films – free and open to the public.
All screenings will be held in the Black Box Theatre, Main Campus Student Center. A panel discussion and Q&A will be held after each film.
In partnership with ECU’s Student Activities Board, there will also be screenings throughout the weekend of the 2019 feature film The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Zack Gottsagen, Shia LaBeouf and Dakota Johnson. The Peanut Butter Falcon tells the story of a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a pro wrestler.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
7:00 p.m. Gleason
Steve Gleason, former player for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, was diagnosed with ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2011. This film follows the next five years of his life.
Panelists: Richard S. Bedlack, Jr. MD, PhD, Neurologist and researcher,Duke Neurological Disorders Clinic; Mary Ann Cooper, founder, Coop Strong Foundation, ALS advocate and former caregiver; Dileep Dadlani, development director, ALS Therapy Development Institute; Katie Leegins-Vinson, Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation, ALS Association North Carolina Chapter outreach professional, licensed clinical social worker
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
1:00 p.m. American Veteran
American Veteran tells the story of a vet injured while serving in Afghanistan and his recovery and life after the injury.
Panelists: Cory Furlough, CPSS, LPN, veteran, U.S. Army, 82nd Airborne, peer supporter, Greenville VA HCC; Venkata Jonnalagadda, MD, FAP, Associate Chief of Staff, Greenville Veterans Affairs HC;
4:00 p.m. Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement
Fixed explores the social impact of human biotechnologies, rethinking “disability” and “normalcy” by exploring technologies that promise to change our bodies and minds forever.
Panelists: Wayne Godwin, director, ECU Innovation Design Lab; Gloria Jinks, assistive technologist, North Carolina Assistive Technology Program;
7:00 p.m. Murderball
This Academy Award-nominated film tells the story of the U.S. quadriplegic rugby team’s journey to the 2004 Paralympics. Members of the team featured in the film will join us remotely for a not-to-be-missed Q&A.
Panelists: Dana Adam Shapiro, co-director of “Murderball;” Bob Lujano, Paralympian, U.S. wheelchair rugby team; Mark Zupan, Paralympian, U.S. wheelchair rugby team
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
9:00 a.m. Intelligent Lives
This film shares the stories of three young adults with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate high school, college and the workforce.
Panelists: Cynthia Ferry, MSN, RN, NCSN, clinical case manager and parent; Lisa Jordan, artist, parent and inclusion advocate; Carrie Woodruff, parent, and Christina Woodruff, Pitt Community College student
“The Peanut Butter Falcon”
Thursday and Friday at 9 p.m and Saturday at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.
In partnership with D4D, ECU’s Student Activities Board will show this feature film, about a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a pro wrestler. The film was shot in North Carolina and stars Shia LeBeouf, Zack Gottsagen and Dakota Johnson.
The Main Campus Student Center is located at 501 E. 10th Street, Greenville, NC. Parking is available in the parking deck adjacent to the student center.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Department for Disability Support Services at least 48 hours prior to the event at 252-737-1016 (voice/TTY).