see the film

Meet Guillermo, Jasmine, Caroline, Jonathan  and Aniella—five students on the spectrum take us on campus and into their lives to see how they’re doing college.

see the film

Meet Guillermo, Jasmine, Caroline, Jonathan  and Aniella—five students on the spectrum take us on campus and into their lives to see how they’re doing college.

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WATCH

autism goes to college

trailer

Autism Goes to College is a first of its kind film, packed with honest insights for students, parents and educators offering an eye-opening look at what a growing number of neurodiverse students are bringing to campus.

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“This important film is heartfelt and necessary. As more and more students with autism arrive at college, we need to see how they do it, and how we could do better for them.”

—Dr. Ricki Robinson

“This important film is heartfelt and necessary. As more and more students with autism arrive at college, we need to see how they do it, and how we could do better for them.”

 

—Dr. Ricki Robinson

In April of 2019, the documentary had its world premiere at the iconic Aero Theater in Santa Monica, hostd by the Amercan Cinemateque.

More than 350 people packed the screening which included a red carpet and a post-film Q&A discussion.

Our successful festival run spanned mid-2019 until mid-2020, including a festival premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival, followed by well-attended screenings at SXSW Edu, The Awaremness Festival, the Long Beach International Film Festival and the Heartland Film Festival.

In April of 2019, the documentary had its world premiere at the iconci Aero Theater in Santa Monica, hostd by the Amercan Cinemateque.

More than 350 people packed the screening which included a red carpet and a post-film Q&A discussion.

Our successful festival run spanned mid-2019 until mid-2020, including a festival premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival, followed by well-attended screenings at SXSW Edu, The Awaremness Festival, the Long Beach International Film Festival and the Heartland Film Festival.

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The anthem award logo banner with the Autism Goes To College.org logo inside it

WE JUST WON A GOLD ANTHEM AWARD!

The Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences has awarded us a gold medal for diversity, equity & inclusion. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet. The Anthem Awards is a division of the Webbys for cause-focused content.

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options for viewing

To watch at home, visit our Vimeo page, where you can purchase streaming access for 24 hours.

Please note that streaming film does NOT include public performance rights, meaning that you may not hold a public screening.

Buy the film for educational purposes:

DVDs and digital site licenses for schools and libraries are available through the Video Project.

Host a screening

Please review this page and contact us f you would like to obtain a license for a public screening.

Have questions about the film? Fill out the contact form and we’ll be in touch!

the filmmakers

DR. JAN BLACHER, Ph.D.—Executive Producer

Jan Blacher is Distinguished Professor of Education and UC Presidential Chair in the Graduate School of Education, UCR. She is also Director of the SEARCH Family Autism Resource Center (SEARCH = Support, Education, Advocacy, Resources, Community, Hope). Dr. Blacher’s NIH-­ ‐ funded research focuses on the family context of children and adolescents with and without developmental disabilities or autism, as well as family coping in Anglo and Latino families. A recent study funded by the Institute on Education Sciences (IES) involved longitudinal study of successful outcomes of young children with autism transitioning into the early school grades. Dr. Blacher serves as Consulting Editor for several leading journals, including the Journal of Autism and Developmental DisordersJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual DisabilitiesJournal of Intellectual Disability Research, American Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. She is the North American Editor of the    Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. She has served on a scientific study panel of the National Research Council of The National Academy of Sciences, and on the Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute. She is a former columnist for EP, Exceptional Parent Magazine ( www.eparent.com ). In addition to holding Fellow status in three research organizations, Dr. Blacher is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

ERIK LINTHORST—Director/Producer

An award-winning multi-platform content creator for film, television and the web, Erik’s produced work has been in theaters, on television, and at 75+ national and international film festivals.

His writing credits include COME AS YOU ARE (Gabourey Sidibe), released worldwide by Samuel Goldwyn Films after its worldwide premiere at the 2019 SXSW film festival. His first film, HIGH SCHOOL (Adrien Brody) premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before being released in theaters nationwide by Anchor Bay Films.

AUTISM GOES TO COLLEGE, a Finalist for the 2022 Anthem Award for Best Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Special Project, follows his Freddy Award-nominated PBS documentary AUTISTIC-LIKE: GRAHAM’S STORY, which has screened in over 40 countries.

JODY BECKER—Writer/Producer

Autism Goes to College is Jody’s twelfth documentary film project. All of the films have been nationally broadcast on PBS, and screened at festivals worldwide, including Full Frame, Palm Beach, Inclus (Barcelona) and SF DocFest. Mr. Connolly Has ALS, (Dir. Dan Habib), was a 2017 International Documentary Association nominee for Best Documentary Short.

As an audio editor at The New York Times, she works on The Daily podcast.
She has also edited and produced for the public radio business show Marketplace, and the Marketplace podcasts Marketplace Tech and Make Me Smart. Her work has also appeared on NPR, the New York Times.com, the Atlantic.com, in Variety, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Seattle Times, the LA Times and other newspapers and magazines. Her reporting in the public interest was recognized with a Knight Fellowship at Yale Law School, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Law.
Autism Goes to College is her second film with Director Erik Linthorst. She created and launched the Autism Goes to College podcast, and serves as the Senior Producer.

ALEXANDER SUTTON-HOUGH—Director of Photography

Alex graduated from CSU Northridge with a degree in Film Production and Cinematography. Since, he has shot numerous short films, music videos, interviews and live events.

 

RANDY ABRAMS—Editor/Post Production Producer

A senior level marketing professional with 20+ years experience as an award-winning creative and strategic problem solver for networks, studios and advertising agencies in the areas of sports, entertainment marketing and brand advertising. Consistently led diverse teams to produce exceptional creative work under demanding business conditions. Generated viewership on the network side. Increased revenue on the agency side by ten times. Bolstered and staffed many marketing departments drawing on deep industry connections. Special expertise in launching and branding television networks and programming.

SHOUBERT DAVID—Director of Photography

Shoubert has directed and produced both domestic and international projects. My passion has been working with nonprofits but been blessed to have a good mix of both public and private sector projects. He has travelled to Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America and all over North America, filming short documentary style films to capture and help my clients share their stories through video. Shoubert feels blessed to do what he loves and honored to have worked with so many great people and organizations who are making a positive change in our world daily

DANIEL BRUSON—Animation Director

Daniel is an independent animation director and graphic artist from Brazil. His work encompasses projects for film, music videos, series, visual arts, advertising and music. Animation work highlights include the commissioned short films “Pete’s Story”, Best Portfolio Film at Anima Mundi 2016 and Official Selection of the Annecy Festival 2016, and “Me, by J‐Money”, for the Preschool Poets series. The music videos for the songs “Uterine Death And Life”, by Paula Cavalciuk, Official Selection of Anima Mundi 2018 and the New Orleans Film Festival 2018, “Breech Delivery”, by The Biggs and “Jealousy”, by Rafael Castro.

He is the art director for the Brazilian stop motion feature film “Bob Cuspe ‐ We Don’t Like People” (in production), and co‐director in the stop motion feature film “Storm” (in development), both produced by Coala Filmes. He’s also graphic designer and co‐producer of the Brazilian music festival Febre. Contact danielbruson.com daniel@danielbruson.com www.fb.com/danielbruson/

BRANDON ROBERTS—Composer

From the pulsing action of World War Z and Logan, to the period drama of AMC’s TURN: Washington Spies, Brandon Roberts’ music can be found all over the film-scoring world today.

Surrounded by the eclectic musical scene of his hometown, Carmel, CA, Brandon developed his musical interests at a young age earning awards from Clint Eastwood and The Monterey Jazz Festival. In 1995 he began studies at the University of Southern California where he composed for many of the jazz ensembles. In addition, he began writing for orchestra and soon entered into the prestigious USC Scoring for Motion Pictures & Television graduate program. Here he studied with industry greats including Elmer Bernstein and David Raksin.

Upon graduating from the University of Southern California, Brandon continued composing for films, television and albums in a wide range of styles. Composition projects include such large-scale feature films as A Quiet Place, Logan, The Wolverine, and World War Z. In addition, he has composed for several independent features including The Woman In Black, Warm Bodies, and The Giver.

Brandon’s music can be found in acclaimed television shows as well including Battlestar Galactica, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, V, and AMC’s Revolutionary War spy drama, TURN: Washington’s Spies.

Most recently, Brandon completed the score to Unbroken: Path To Redemption for Universal Pictures, as well as a co-score with frequent collaborator Marco Beltrami for Fox’s upcoming Kirsten Stewart thriller, Underwater.

Brandon resides in Tarzana, CA and is a dual-citizen of United States and Canada.

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

DEFIANCE COLLEGE

Defiance, OH

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 — 7:00 PM

Register here.

HOPKINTON HIGH SCHOOL

Hopkinton, MA

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Register here.

FREMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Sunnyvale, CA

Tuesday, April 21, 2020 — 6:30 PM

Register here.

WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL

Westfield, New Jersey

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Register here.

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Wednesday, April 1, 2020 – 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM

Register here.

PAST SCREENINGS

AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE

Wednesday, April 17, 2019 — 7:30 PM

Aero Theater

1328 Montana, Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403

NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL

Sunday, April 28, 2019 — 5:45 PM

Lido Theater

3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA, 92663

UC RIVERSIDE

Thursday, June 6, 2019 — 7 PM

Culver Center Theater

3834 Main St., Riverside, CA, 92501

UCLA TARJAN Center

Monday, June 10, 2019 — 6 PM

Tamkin Auditorium

Ronald Reagan Medical Center

757 Westwood Plaza, Room B-130, Los Angeles, CA 90095

SAN DIEGO AUTISM SOCIETY 

Saturday, September 21, 2019 — 6:45 PM

Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall

5775 Morehouse Dr., San Diego, CA 92121

AWARENESS FILM FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019 — 4:00 PM

Regal Cinemas at LA Live

1000 West Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015

HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 12, 2019 — 10:50 AM

Wednesday, October 16, 2019 — 7:40 PM

AMC Castleton Square Theater 2

6020 E 82nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46250

UC RIVERSIDE

Thursday, October 17, 2019 — 5:30 PM

Highlander Union Building (HUB)

900 University Blvd., HUB 302 North, Riverside, CA 92507

CARNEGIE SCIENCE CENTER

Monday, October 21, 2019 — 1:00 PM

Rangos Giant Cinema

One Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15212

COLLEGE INCLUSION SUMMIT & FRIST CENTER FOR AUTISM AND INNOVATION

Wednesday, October 23, 2019 — 4:30 PM  

Vanderbilt University

One Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15212

HIGHLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGE & ACCESS AND THE PUGET SOUND ESD

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 — 10:00 AM  

Building 8, Mt. Olympus Room

2400 S 240th St., Des Moines, WA 98198

MADISON COLLEGE

Wednesday, October 30, 2019 — 1:00 PM  

Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement

1701 Wright St., Madison, WI, 53704

ASPIRING YOUTH

Thursday, November 7, 2019 — 7:00 PM  

Ryther 

2400 NE 95th St., Seattle, WA, 98115

CSU LOS ANGELES, CHARTER COLLEGE OF EDUCATION 

Thursday, November 14, 2019 — 6:00 PM  

University Student Union Theater 

5154 State University Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90032

SPECTRUMWISE COLLEGE CONSULTING & AUTISM SOCIETY OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA 

Tuesday, November 19, 2019 — 7:00 PM  

Byrd Theater 

2908 W. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23221

CSU LONG BEACH 

Thursday, November 21, 2019 — 7:00 PM  

University Theater

Long Beach, CA 90840

LETHBRIDGE COLLEGE

Thursday, December 3, 2019 — 12:00 PM  and 4:00 PM

E.C. Fredericks Theatre, Lethbridge College

3000 College Drive S., Lethbridge, AB

ASPERGER/AUTISM NETWORK

Thursday, December 5, 2019 — 6:30 PM  

AANE Office, 51 Water Street, Watertown, MA 02472

Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton: 12th Annual Autism Conference

Thursday, January 23, 2019 — 7:00 PM  

River Cree Resort, 300 E. Lapotac Blvd., Edmonton, Alberta, T7X 3Y3 Canada

UCR Palm Desert, School of Medicine, & SEARCH Center/Graduate School of Education

Tuesday, January 28, 2019 — 6:00 PM  

UCR Palm Desert Center, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92262

Da Vinci Schools

Wednesday, January 29, 2019 — 6:00 PM  

Blackbox Theater, 201 N. Douglas Street, El Segundo, CA 90245

Duke University

Monday, February 3, 2020 — 7:00 PM

Center for Child and Family Policy, 302 Towerview Road, Durham, NC, 27708

University of Massachusetts Amherst, College of Education 

Monday, February 10, 2020 — 7:00 PM

Fucolo Hall, New Carney Auditorium, 813 North Pleasant Street, AMherst, MA 01002

AMFS Charterhouse School, Courage to Succeed

Saturday, February 15, 2020 — 11:00 AM 

Charterhouse School Auditorium, 3900 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23221