The Arc of Delaware County's video wins a First Place at Film Festival

The first annual “Art and Soul of the Catskills Film Festival" was held this past Friday and Saturday. Submissions to the film festival were accepted from all levels of filmmakers who were either residents of Delaware, Otsego, Ulster, Green, Chenango, and Schoharie counties or whose films were produced in or made the subject of these Counties. Over 42 films were entered and judged in 5 categories.  The Arc of Delaware County’s video, “Making the Shift to Community Connections” won first place in the short documentary category.

This film tells the story of Delarc and the connections being made by people with disabilities in the communities in which they live.  Sheri Hull, THRIVE Program Director shared “We felt like we needed to do it in a meaningful way (make connections). Doing things that were meaningful for them and that really had to do with their life choices and goals.”  This film consists of a series of vignettes of people with disabilities engaged in their communities with activities such as working at a local auto repair shop and vegetable crop farm, taking classes at SUNY Delhi, taking horseback riding lessons, learning skills and assisting at a day care center. And the ultimate outcome of community connections in which real relationships and friendships are formed is powerfully demonstrated by this video.

George Suess, CEO of The Arc of Delaware County shared “ At the actual showing of the video, Saturday afternoon, the audience was very small but their response when the video ended was over the top. Loud and sustained applause with big smiles all the way around.” You can view this award winning video on our YouTube site or by clicking here: Making the Shift to Community Connections



George Suess, CEO listens as The Arc of Delaware County's video
 "Making the Shift To Community Connections"
wins a first prize at the 1st Annual Art and Soul of the Catskills Film Festival

The ASCFF welcomes submissions from all levels of filmmakers providing they are residents of Delaware, Otsego, Ulster, Green