WORLD PREMIERE Andrew Solomon’s bestselling book Far From the Tree examines how parents face their children’s extreme differences. The book was influenced by the author’s own experiences growing up gay and later becoming a parent. Now filmmaker Rachel Dretzin adapts the book into a beautifully crafted documentary, produced by Participant Media, known for groundbreaking films such as Waiting for ‘Superman’ and Food, Inc.

The film profiles families who offer intimate access to how they experience surprise, resilience, sorrow, courage, hope and joy. They have a lot to teach us about the depths of love as they confront conditions such as Down syndrome, autism and dwarfism. The film serves to challenge ideas of ‘normality’ and dispel fear over what’s perceived as ‘abnormal.’