Pegasus Community Project to host seventh annual film festival featuring works by and starring adults with developmental disabilities

By ABBY RUSSCHEN

Pegasus Community Project will host its seventh annual Pegasus Incredible Film Festival (PIFF) on Sept. 27, screening short films made by and starring adults with developmental disabilities.

Pegasus Community Project is a Beaches-based nonprofit organization that runs day programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Started in 2017, PIFF gives participants the chance to see themselves on the big screen.

Representation of developmental disabilities in mainstream media is rare, so Pegasus decided to change that by giving its members an opportunity to be actors, writers and filmmakers.

“PIFF gives people not normally in the public eye a chance to be seen and celebrated,” said PIFF festival director Jerome Simpson. “A standing ovation to someone who never received one is meaningful.”

This year’s PIFF is set to be the biggest one yet, taking place at Parkdale Hall on Queen Street W. with a 400-seat capacity, nearly double that of previous years.

In addition to the five movies created by Pegasus participants, seven film agencies across southern Ontario will provide dozens of short films to the screening.

“It’s beautiful seeing all these disparate groups gather in the same place to cheer and laugh and connect,” said Simpson.

The event will feature red carpet photographers, live music, and catering by Common Ground, a company that employs folks with developmental disabilities.

The dress code: whatever makes you feel fabulous, said Simpson.

Tickets for the Sept. 27 festival will go on sale Aug. 21. You can find tickets on the PIFF website http://pifftoronto.ca/. PIFF runs on volunteers; to get involved, you can contact the festival through the same link.