DEEJ
Synopsis
A nonspeaking young man dreams of autistic civil rights. After spending his early years in foster care, without access to language, DJ “Deej” Savarese found not only a loving family but also a life in words, which he types on a text-to-voice synthesizer. In DEEJ, DJ makes his way through high school and the transition into college, as he confronts the terrors of his past, obstacles to inclusion, and the sometimes paralyzing beauty of his own senses. He embraces filmmaking and poetry and discovers what having a voice can truly mean. DJ challenges misconceptions of what a nonspeaking student with autism can accomplish. As one of only a few nonspeaking autistics who have been included in regular education settings, he shares his ideas not only about what full inclusion requires, but also the potential it offers to everyone.
website | facebook | twitter | IMDb
Our Role
Making Change Media coordinated the national screening tour for the Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated film on autism, inclusion, and neurodiversity, DEEJ (broadcast on America Reframed, fall and winter 2017 and summer 2018), bringing the film to more than 160 high schools, colleges, universities, festivals, conferences, and community groups nationwide. Making Change Media is also the educational distributor for DEEJ.
“Regan’s work as our impact producer made a huge difference in ensuring that Deej found a home within neurodiversity and disability communities as well as with the general public. Her integrity, creativity, commitment to our film’s message, and well-developed relationships within the disability community added a personal touch that is hard to find.
We have been thrilled to work with Making Change Media as our educational distributor as well; their ability to reach educational buyers far exceeded our expectations. That MCM’s expertise spans impact producing and educational distribution has helped us be even more effective in both worlds. ”