Part Fish

Part Fish is a short documentary film that investigates the interaction between autism, burnout, anxiety, stimming and our environments. The film is directed by and based on the experiences of Sophie Broadgate, a Cumbrian filmmaker who received a late diagnosis of autism at age 31. Sophie steps in front of camera to share her journey through late diagnosis and burnout to autistic joy and self acceptance. This will be the first project she has done where she has allowed herself to completely 'unmask', step in front of the camera and share what stimming looks like for her.

PART FISH STORY

After multiple gruelling and prolonged autistic burnout periods Sophie found her way to stimming and understanding of her autism by engaging in the sensory aspects of nature. Through this process she was able to come out of burnout, sooth her extreme levels of anxiety, bring her brain back online and find balance again. Alongside this personal portrait, the film includes the voices and knowledge of two professionals in different fields: Jemma Lochwood (autism practitioner and director of Autus) and Jenny Holden-Wilde (neurodivergent ecologist). In conversation with Sophie, Jemma and Jenny share their in depth knowledge of how autistic brains work, sensory overload, burnout, mental health, the nervous system, stimming and how our environments effect our minds. Together Sophie, Jemma and Jenny narrate and guide the film.

Information and increased understanding of Autism and neurodivergence has hit mainstream consciousness recently but there's so much depth to autistic experiences across the spectrum that are yet to be understood, explored, discussed and shared on screen. By putting herself in front of the camera and sharing her experience, Sophie hopes to contribute to the landscape of narratives around autistic experiences by adding another voice and perspective.

To learn more about Part Fish - check out our kickstarter campaign here - http://kck.st/3W1pe4h