Minds Film Festival, Richard Marx concert raise awareness and funds for people with special needs, dementia
The events aim to foster inclusivity and support a more equitable community
MINDS Film Festival will run for two weekends from Sep 14 to Sep 22, showcasing seven international films to raise awareness about persons with special needs.
The films hail from Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, and are about the individuality and resilience of persons with special needs, as well as persons with intellectual disabilities. They will educate viewers about issues and challenges that this group of people face, thus providing more exposure to the community.
The annual festival, which started in 2017, aims to inspire people to play a more active role in supporting such individuals and their families, and advocates social inclusion.
Kenneth Tan, chairman of Singapore Film Society, said of the latest edition: “Through these compelling films, we aim to give voice to the often-overlooked experiences of persons with intellectual disabilities, and, in doing so, inspire our audiences to embrace inclusivity and support a more equitable community.”
One movie that is part of the film festival is Poppy, a 2021 film from New Zealand about a young woman with Down syndrome who aspires to be a motor mechanic. Another is the 2023 Hong Kong film Stand Up Story, about a man pursuing stand-up comedy after becoming the primary caregiver to his father, who has an intellectual disability.
Kelvin Koh, chief executive of Minds, said: “These films present every day relatable moments that help audiences identify with the struggles and tribulations of these individuals.”
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The film festival will be screened at various Shaw Theatres cinemas. Tickets are priced at S$15, with lower-priced tickets available for students, Minds staff, Singapore Film Society members and Developmental Disability Registry card holders.
Koh added: “Since its inception in 2016, the festival has promoted meaningful interactions between persons with intellectual disabilities and the broader public, thereby enhancing integration within the community.”
Meanwhile, social service agency Dementia Singapore is holding a fundraising concert featuring Richard Marx on Saturday (Sep 14), two days before the American singer’s 61st birthday. His hits include Hazard, Right Here Waiting and Satisfied.
The concert will take place at Our Tampines Hub, with all proceeds going towards raising awareness about dementia.
This follows the organisation’s inaugural charity concert featuring Michael Learns to Rock held last year in September at the same venue.
This year, the agency has once again chosen an artist that resonates with people in the community who are in their 40s and 50s.
Jason Foo, chief executive of Dementia Singapore, said: “Not only have we noticed a coincidental rise in the number of people in these age groups who are being diagnosed with young-onset dementia, but many in the same age demographic are already caregivers to loved ones with dementia.”
The agency said it will continue to hold its fundraising concerts in the heartland in order to foster inclusivity.
Tickets are available from Sistic Singapore, with prices ranging between S$118 and S$238.
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