Experiencing Interruptions?

Driven to Help

"I just want to make it to Christmas," Austin Crawford says, as he fights a battle he can't win with never-ending courage, drive, and of course flair.

Imagine a disease so rare there's no cure or treatment. As his health fades, we find Austin building a hot rod from his wheelchair. Sharing his story to his thousands of followers on Tiktok and become the Face of MSA. Imagine Michael J. Fox and your favorite car show come together.

Join Austin in his 1970 Dodge Dart as he drives home the message that no matter how much is taken away, there's still more to give, whether that's at a local car show or to his thousands of followers on TikTok.

  • Austin Crawford
    Key Cast
    "Austin Crawford "
    Fighting MSA Austin Crawford's Story
  • Phil Gioja
    Producer
    Fighting MSA: Austin Crawford's Story
  • Phil Gioja
    Director
    Fighting MSA: Austin Crawford's Story
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    documentary, biography, educational
  • Runtime:
    45 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 11, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Virgin Spring Cinefest

    March 29, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Virgin Spring Cinefest

    April 3, 2022
    Award Winner
  • London International Monthly Film Festival

    April 5, 2022
    Best Documentary
  • Chicago Indie Film Awards

    April 26, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Lonely Wolf International Film Festival

    Best Documentary Directing
  • Seoul International Monthly Film Festival

    May 5, 2022
    Finalist
  • Athens International Monthly Film Festival

    May 9, 2022
    Finalist
  • Tokyo International Monthly Film Festival

    May 12, 2022
    Honorable Mention
  • Cult Critic Movie Awards

    May 19, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Cult Critic Movie Awards

    May 20, 2022
    Finalist
  • Cult Critic Movie Awards

    May 20, 2022
    Award Winner
  • Cult Movies International Film Festival

    June 15, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Cult Movies International Film Festival

    June 30, 2022
    Award Winner
  • Bright International Film Festival

    September 12, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Druk International Film Festival

    September 12, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Bright International Film Festival

    September 14, 2022
    Finalist
  • Indiefare International Film Festival

    October 10, 2022
    Award Winner
  • EdiPlay International Film Festival

    Award Winner
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival

    January 5, 2023
    Award Winner
  • Best Shorts Competition

    December 17, 2022
    Award Winner
  • Indie Cine Tube Awards

    July 15, 2023
    Best Social/Inspirational Video/Film
  • Indie Cine Tube Awards

    July 15, 2023
    Best Educational Film
  • Symbiotic Film Festival

    August 7, 2023
    Nominated
Distribution Information
  • Tubi TV
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Free TV
  • Amazon Prime
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Paid TV
  • Plex TV
    Rights: Internet, Video on Demand, Free TV
Director Biography - Phil Gioja

Studied Cinema and Photography at Southern Illinois University class of 2004.

Producer at Center Street Productions

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Driven to Help is a feature length follow up to the Award Winning short Fighting MSA: Austin Crawford's Story.