KW Habilitation’s Journey to the Pegasus Incredible Film Festival
KW Habilitation’s journey with the Pegasus Incredible Film Festival (PIFF) began through a community connection we formed with a staff from Montage Support Services and our supervisor of Community Supports, Amy Haynes. Amy saw the PIFF submission from Montage and was intrigued. After researching the festival, Amy reached out to its director, Jerome Simpson. It was clear upon their first meeting that KW Habilitations mission, philosophy and values align with those of PIFF. Jerome graciously extended an invitation for KW Habilitation to participate in the festival.
We started with a casting call and once we had a group of enthusiastic filmmakers, we began to meet regularly. Over the course of several months, the cast collaborated closely, starting with brainstorming sessions to generate ideas and then voting on their favorites. After settling on a general plot, they worked together to decide on characters, wrote dialogue, developed the screenplay, and rehearsed their lines. The movie, Cory’s Revenge, was coming together. During this time, Jerome Simpson traveled from Toronto to meet the cast and offered them special effects training, further enriching the entire experience. In collaboration with Jerome, the team created a greenscreen video to share with friends and family, which really helped build excitement for the film submission.
As filming approached, families rallied around the cast, contributing pieces for the set and costumes. Cory’s Revenge was shot over two exciting days, with everyone pitching in to ensure its success. Once we wrapped up the raw footage, we came together for a group editing session, where the cast viewed all the scenes and chose their preferred takes and placements. After final edits were completed, the cast came together again to sign posters and plan the world premiere. They envisioned a grand event with a red carpet and popcorn, encouraging everyone to dress up for the occasion. Additionally, they decided to hold a panel question and answer period after the screening, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with the cast about their experiences and insights.
The evening of the premiere was electric, with the theatre packed with actors, families, and friends, all buzzing with excitement. As the film played, the audience reacted with genuine laughter and enthusiastic cheers, culminating in a massive round of applause for the cast. The subsequent panel discussion showcased the engagement between the cast and audience, as everyone contributed to the dialogue. The cast exhibited a remarkable level of compassion and kindness for one another, underscoring the authentic friendships they had forged over the months. The smiles on their faces, their willingness to share, and the pride they radiated made it evident that this project was a significant achievement for them. Families and friends expressed immense joy, commenting on the profound impact this journey had on their loved ones.
The world premiere in Kitchener only increased the excitement for the November 2nd event in Toronto, where Cory’s Revenge would open the Pegasus Incredible Film Festival. The cast, crew, families, and supporters traveled together by bus to the event and the excitement as we made it through traffic in time for the event was electric. With the cast sitting in their own VIP section with personalized swag bags waiting for them, Cory’s Revenge, and the entire festival experience exceeded all of our expectations.
We’re incredibly proud to share both the “Directors Cut” and 5 minute PIFF submission of Cory’s Revenge.
About PIFF:
Finding authentic representation of disability on the big screen has long been a challenge. Recognizing this gap, the Pegasus Community Project, a Toronto-based non-profit that provides day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, founded the Pegasus Incredible Film Festival (PIFF) in 2017. The festival quickly gained momentum, becoming an instant hit in the community. PIFF empowers individuals to take the reins of their storytelling by creating and starring in their own movies, making it a vibrant celebration of creativity, diversity, and fabulousness. It’s not just about making films; it’s about elevating voices that often go unheard, showcasing the unique perspectives and talents of those with disabilities.
Today, their movie-making family has expanded to include organizations such as Centre for Dreams, DramaWay, Addus, Montage Support Services, KW Habilitation, Steer Friends, and Variety Village. Together, we continue to break down barriers, challenge perceptions, and celebrate the incredible talents of our community members.
