Autistic teenager wins documentary award for film Aspergers and me
A 19 year old teenager has won an international award for best documentary of the year for a film – Aspergers and Me, exploring the support available for young people with autism.
JJ McQuade, a Headliners young film-maker based in Belfast, won the Coca-Cola Cinemagic film award facing stiff competition from three other finalists. The competition is the largest film event of its kind for young people in Ireland and the UK. To watch Aspergers and me visit www.headliners.org
JJ was trained with film-making skills by Headliners trainers to help him produce the documentary. Headliners UK is a charity, which operates as a youth media agency, training young people with journalism skills and enhancing their personal development.
“I’m delighted at winning this award. Thank you to Headliners for the wonderful opportunity to start and complete the project,” said JJ.
Aspergers and Me traces JJ’s life and he examines the emotions behind his family struggles before his late diagnosis of autism at the age of 17. He also shares his feelings and concerns about his past and present experiences and his hopes for the future living with autism. The film shows him finding inspiration through his family and others who also live with the condition.
Ciaran McKerr, Headliners project manager in Belfast said: "Everyone in Headliners is delighted to see JJ rewarded for his very personal and thought-provoking film.
"His award is an acknowledgement of the time and effort he put into the project and reflects too the energy and commitment of the Headliners staff who worked with him during the production of Aspergers and Me.
"It is JJ's and Headliners' hope that the film serves as a measure of how successful and fulfilled all young people can be when they are given the support they need."
The film is both a record of JJ’s journey and a resource to be used for young people and others who live with Aspergers syndrome and Autism.
Caption: Zoe Cunningham (Coca-Cola), JJ McQuade (Winner of Documentary of the Year) and Colm McAteer (Cinemagic)
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Notes to the editor
For more information, images or to request an interview, contact Headliners Media and Communications Officer, Yemi Lufadeju E: yemi.lufadeju@headliners.org T: 0207 7749 9360
About Headliners
Headliners UK is a media agency which inspires and encourages the personal development of young people through journalism.
Through Headliners, young people are trained to research and write stories on issues that are important to them for publication in national and local newspapers, magazines, television and radio. For more information, visit www.headliners.org
About Cinemagic
Cinemagic uses the magic of film and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate motivate and inspire. Established in 1989, Cinemagic is currently the largest film event of its kind for young people in Ireland and the UK. Designed for and by young people, Cinemagic caters for young people (aged 4 to 25) interested in film.
