Film STIM! explores lives of neurodivergent Geelong youths

While guiding neurodiverse young people through creating a film, Geelong artist Laura Alice received her own diagnosis.

Young creatives who made the movie, Sage, Grace, Lucinda, director Laura Alice, Leilani, and Cat. Picture: Mark Wilson

A new short animated film, set to premiere on Autistic Pride Day, explores the perspectives of four neurodiverse Geelong teens.

Through their paintings, sketches and musings, the youths provide insight to their vibrant inner worlds. 

Renowned Geelong artist and animator Laura Alice guided the young people through the creation of the “artistic documentary” ‘STIM’!.

She said it looked into various aspects of people who are neurodiverse, such as challenges, strengths, and skills.

During the creation of the film Laura, 36, was diagnosed with ADHD.

Her diagnosis, about six months ago, came after her 8-year-old son’s.

She said while her diagnosis was a challenge, it made sense in a lot of ways.

“I’d always known my brain worked quite differently,” she said.

Laura Alice. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I knew I had to have my life a very particular way for me to thrive and that if I didn’t have creative pursuits I’d be depressed.”

She said it had been incredibly helpful for her self-understanding.

Laura said working on the project with the “excellent” young people helped her process the news.

The creative project grew out of a youth advisory group of neurodiverse teens which was established to make Bluebird Foundation more inclusive and accessible.

The young people met up with Laura and assistant Cat Kilner over a series of sessions, learning digital drawing, animation and visual storytelling skills.

Together they unpacked their unique ADHD and/or autistic lives and created the thought-provoking short film.

Laura said for so many years, neurodivergent people faced discrimination, inequity and misunderstanding.

“The ways they have been taught to ‘fit in’ have in many cases actually caused harm,” she said.

“However, despite challenges and support differences, neurodiverse people have so much to offer.

“There are strengths, superpowers and great beauty in the unique skills and communication styles of neurodiverse people, and they deserve to be celebrated, understood and appreciated.”

The Bluebird Foundation, a Geelong-based not-for-profit dedicated to providing arts programs, is behind the project, which was supported by a state government grant.

STIM! will premiere at The Pivotonian Cinema on Sunday June 18.

Tickets are free but bookings are essential at https://stim-short-film-premiere.eventbrite.com.au

Originally published as Film STIM! explores lives of neurodivergent Geelong youths