‘An Open Door’: Temple Grandin documentary to premiere at Denver Film Festival
Media contact:
Jennifer Dimas
(970) 988-4265
jennifer.dimas@colostate.edu
A documentary reflecting on the influential life of Colorado State University professor and autism rights advocate Temple Grandin will premiere at the prestigious Denver Film Festival.
The first screening of “An Open Door” will be at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Sie FilmCenter. Grandin will join a post-film Q&A with director and producer John Barnhardt, executive producer John Festervand, cinematographer Tyler Naretto, producer Rachael Mild and producer Melanie Chaffey.
A second showing of the film is slated for 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9.
Barnhardt, who grew up in a Denver suburb and dreamed of becoming a filmmaker, called the premiere a “full-circle moment.”
“This film holds great importance to me, and I’m thrilled to share it with the Denver audience,” he said. “In the true spirit of Dr. Grandin, we poured our hearts, grit and hope into this project, and I sincerely believe it will inspire all who watch it with its global impact.”
“An Open Door” features Grandin retracing her path in life and the lessons she has learned as she’s worked to understand the gifted, unique way her mind works in relation to the world around her, using it to her advantage with working with animals as well as aiding in the understanding, treatment and inclusion of individuals with diverse ways of thinking.
“A lot of people don’t see doors to opportunity,” Grandin said while sitting for an interview for the film. “I want to open doors for other people now – I figure that is what I should be doing.”
The film has been screened in locations around the country with audiences sharing emotional reactions to hearing Grandin’s story in her own words.
“Dr. Grandin has a global following,” Festervand said. “Since releasing the trailer in April, it has been viewed over 21,000 times and within the first week I had organizations from Melbourne, Australia, expressing an interest in hosting private screenings. The response we’ve had from those who have screened the film has been overwhelmingly positive and now having the opportunity to premiere this movie at the Denver Film Festival holds immense significance for everyone involved.”
Watch the trailer for An Open Door: https://youtu.be/1SCViJJwYvY
For more information on the Denver premiere visit: https://bit.ly/3SnN5JW