Filmmaker Sarah Moon Howe Uses cinema to Challenge Disability Prejudices and advocate for Change
A new wave of intimate and politically charged films is emerging from director Sarah moon Howe, who transforms her personal experience raising a disabled son into a powerful platform for advocacy and a challenge to societal prejudices.Howe, a former psychiatrist, found herself thrust into “another world” when her son, Jack, was born with brain malformation, leading to epilepsy and developmental delays. Now, her work is gaining recognition, including a spotlight at The Remarkable Film Festival (Teff) in Namur, Belgium, from November 5-9, 2025, which champions films that break down barriers surrounding disability.
Howe’s journey into filmmaking began with an urgent need for expression, culminating in her first film, In Case of Depressurization. “It got out of me like an angry Gremlin,while I was dealing with my son,still very small,” she explained. The film’s title, inspired by airplane safety instructions – “If the cabin depressurization, put your oxygen mask before placing one on your child” – served as a message to caregivers: prioritizing self-care is essential to effectively support others. “resumption is essential for all those people who put their lives in parentheses to help a dependent loved one,” Howe emphasized.
Since then, Howe has continued to document this life through film, driven by a belief that it is “incredibly rich” and “deeply cinematographic.” She portrays the complex realities of raising a child with disabilities, encompassing the challenges and joys of the experience.The increasing prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders – rising from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 65 in the past 50 years – underscores the urgency of the situation. “Politicians must absolutely grab this urgent question if they do not want this problem to explode them in the face,” Howe warned. She envisions a future where disabled individuals are empowered to live self-determined lives, participating fully in society.
Howe believes that cinema has the power to shift perceptions and drive change. Her film While Waiting for Zorro has already garnered recognition, including the Magritte du Cinéma award and screenings at universities and the Brussels Parliament on December 15, 2025.She cites the example of Manon Loizeau, whose film led to a law change in Russia regarding the abandonment of disabled children, as proof that “Art can open breaches, it is certainty.”
Central to Howe’s approach is a commitment to respectful and authentic depiction. In While Waiting for Zorro,she immersed herself in the family of her main subject,Lucas Palisse,filming with sensitivity and a focus on capturing their reality “at the height of eyes.” She acknowledges the challenges of gaining trust and the importance of respecting families’ boundaries,recalling one instance where a single-parent family withdrew from the project due to fears of judgment.
Despite the emotional toll, Howe remains dedicated to her work. She reports that her projects have consistently received funding and enthusiastic support from selection committees. “All my films were funded and received with enthusiasm by the selection committees,” she said. “My films, these are my babies that I wear at arm’s length to make them live as best as possible, exactly as I wear Jack.”
For Howe, participating in festivals like Teff is invaluable. She appreciates its commitment to showcasing films on disability to a broad audience, beyond those directly affected by the issue. “It is not a festival of the ‘Between oneself’ Where only people affected by the subject are part of the public,” she explained. She also acknowledges the competitive landscape of documentary filmmaking and the need for greater solidarity among filmmakers.However, she finds immense strength in the community of parents of disabled children, describing it as “a real family.”
Howe is currently finishing Mister Jack’s Extraordinary Trip, a co-production with Art and the RTBF, which chronicles a journey with her son from Brussels to Paris.The film blends documentary and fiction, with Jack taking on the role of “actor,” reciting lines and “pretending.” “I hope it will open doors to him,” Howe said, expressing her belief that her son and other disabled children have valuable perspectives to share. .
