Press release
We are the Most Beautiful People | Adults with Disabilities is a documentary based in Portland, Oregon. They have won many prestigious film laurels from Film Festivals around the world. Their groundbreaking film challenges societal norms, exploring the profound themes of ableism, racism, intersectionality, and the distinction between Disability Rights and Disability Justice.
Zian Chavez the producer and Multnomah County Art Therapist said, “I envision a world where all persons with disabilities matter”. The director and editor of the film, BA Short, LCAT, ATR-BC, is an adjunct instructor at Lewis & Clark College. Cinematographer, Robert Lafady, was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. Each of them experiences disability. This will be the first global documentary uniting the world’s largest minority, Persons with Disabilities.
Their film challenges the notions of beauty and centers on the lived experiences of adults with disabilities. The film presents intimate and unforgettable stories collected from a wide array of persons with disabilities from around the world.
“In a social media driven culture, humankind pursues superficial concepts of beauty. Our film challenges these notions and pulls back the veil, urging people to rethink how they engage with all humans in the world.” – BA Short.
We are the Most Beautiful People | Adults with Disabilities is currently in the Film Festival circuit around the world. Having already won awards in Portland, Prague, Dublin, India, Sweden, Hong Kong, Calgary, Oakland, New York, Chicago, Hawaii, LA, Austin, Santa Fe, NM and more.
You can follow them on: IG, FB, and YT @wearethemostbeautifulpeople
Our documentary is a social justice film that challenges the notions of beauty and centers on the lived experiences of adults with disabilities.
Film Festival circuit 2024.
Director and Editor BA Short @bethannshort
Cinematographer Robert Lafady @rdlafady
Producer Zian Chavez @zianchavez
Original Song by Toni Hickman @therealtonihickman and Matthew Monias @mattmaconline.
WATMBP LLC and Crow and Moon Productions
“Over the years my life and work allowed me to re-examine what I thought beauty was. In my own experience of 30 years living with chronic pain and discomfort with MS, I couldn’t imagine feeling beautiful. I imagine those who have known hardship, known suffering, have an unrelenting spirit, and have hearts of gold. I believe that shine manifests into something beautiful. Having a disability doesn’t make me less than human, in my experience my disability has taught me to be a better human.” – Zian Chavez
WATMBP LLC acknowledges we are located on the territory of the Multnomah, Kathlamet, Clackamas, Chinook, Tualatin Kalapuya, Molalla, and other indigenous nations, ceded under duress between 1848 and 1855. Currently, Multnomah County is home to the 9th largest urban Indigenous population. For more information and an interactive map, visit https://native-land.ca/