Virginia Film Festival

Preceded by the short film Titanic Boy (8 min.)

Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams’ new film Life, Animated tells the inspirational story of Owen Suskind, a young man who was unable to speak as a child until he and his family discovered a unique way to communicate by immersing themselves in the world of classic Disney animated films. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ron Suskind wrote a bestselling book chronicling how Owen, once a thriving three year old, suddenly went quiet and for years was unable to connect with other people or to convey his thoughts, feelings, or desires. This documentary follows Owen from childhood to graduation, detailing his first steps towards independence. Discussion with writer Ron Suskind, moderated by Coy Barefoot