AutFest, the first international film festival celebrating autism awareness (April 22-23), is pleased to announce the winner of its festival poster contest hosted by We Are Lions, a marketplace for products created and designed by individuals with disabilities. Jake Tashjian, a children's book illustrator, author and cartoonist with autism, has been selected for his depiction of the festival's theme from spectrum to screen. Jake's poster will be used as the festival's official poster as well as for festival materials and t-shirts.
Jake Tashjian is an illustrator of early chapter and middle-grade children's books. His books include the 'My Life As A Book' and 'Einstein the Class Hamster' series, which he collaborated on with his mother, author Janet Tashjian. He also illustrated the 'Emoji Adventures,' 'Minecat' and 'Stinky Steve' series for Montage Publishing. He is a founding member of Workshop 2.0, a non profit organization that helps people on the autism spectrum use their creative skills to make a living. Jake currently lives in Los Angeles where he is an avid surfer and cartoon aficionado. More information about Jake can be found at jaketashjian.com.
The first annual AutFest International Film Festival, presented by The Autism Society, will take place Saturday, April 22 – Sunday, April 23 at AMC Orange 30 in Orange, CA. It will screen nine feature-length films and six shorts that that promote autism awareness and/or are made by filmmakers with autism. In addition, AutFest will honor and feature Q&As with The Accountant's Ben Affleck and the filmmakers behind Inside Out, Pixar Animation Studios' Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera. Awards will be presented to Affleck and filmmakers at the festival's closing reception on Sunday, April 23 at Café Tu Tu Tango. The schedule and full list of films can be viewed at autfestasa.com.
AutFest sponsors include Hyundai, Warner Bros. Television, Therasurf, Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, Autism Guardian Angels, AMC Theatres, Bob Wright, Fullerton Cares, Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Premier Healthcare Services, Autism Works Now, Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies, Heritage Pointe 'Senior Living in the Jewish Tradition,' Neil Haley and Technicolor. Media sponsors include ABC 7 Eyewitness News and Variety.
TICKETS/PASSES:
Tickets, festival passes and passes to the VIP Closing Reception can be purchased at autfestasa.com.
About AUTFEST
AutFest International Film Festival's mission is to further advance the wellbeing of all with an autism diagnosis, as well as to educate our nation about autism and the important need to fully respect and value each person with autism. We wish to celebrate films that promote autism awareness and that have the power to enhance the lives of our community. We also wish to honor and support Autistic filmmakers and artists that have chosen film as their profession. For more information, visit autfestasa.com or follow AutFest on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About THE AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Founded in 1965, the Autism Society is the nation's leading grassroots autism organization, and exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the autism spectrum, advocation for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education and research. The Society maintains a strong nationwide network of affiliates to provide support and grassroots advocacy at local, state and federal levels. www.autism-society.org
