Experiencing Interruptions?

Fraser Syndrome & Me

Filmmaker Kyle Anne Grendys, is only the 75th person to be born
with the rare, recessive gene disorder called Fraser Syndrome.
Having always felt alone in the world, she sets out on a journey to find her community and finally meets others just like her.

  • Kyle Anne Grendys
    Creator
  • Patty Walters
    Composer
  • Kyle Anne Grendys
    Editor
  • Rachel Walters
    Artist
  • Richard Wilkerson
    Assisted Editor
  • Josh Mallett
    Assisted Editor
  • Maggie Rosario
    Assisted Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Student
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 10, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Sedona International Film Festival
    Sedona, Arizona
    United States
    February 26, 2019
    North America Premiere
    Audience Choice: Best Student Short Film
  • Wildwood Film Festival
    Appleton WI
    United States
    March 23, 2019
    Wisconsin Premiere
    Best Documentary & Audience Choice
  • Changing Faces International Film Fest

    Monthly Winner of Best Short Documentary
  • Shawnee Shorts Midwestern Film Festival
    Murphysboro, Illinois
    United States
    June 1, 2019
  • Georgia Documentary Film Festival
    Atlanta, Georgia
    United States
    June 1, 2019
    Atlanta Premiere
  • Kadoma International Film Festival
    Kadoma, Osaka
    Japan
    July 28, 2019
    Japan Premiere
    Mayors Award
  • Salute Your Shorts
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 16, 2019
    LA Premiere
    Runner Up - Best Documentary
  • Vail Films Festiva
    Vail, Colorado
    United States
    August 17, 2019
    Colorado Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Oregon Documentary Film Festival
    Oregon, Washington
    United States
    August 11, 2019
    Oregon Premiere
    Official Selection
  • ReelAbilities - Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
    United States
    September 5, 2019
    Pittsburgh Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Chicago Southland International Film Festival
    Chicago, Illinois
    United States
    September 7, 2019
    Chicago Premiere
    Real Cinema Award
  • The Lake County Film Festival
    Lake County, Illinios
    United States
    September 7, 2019
    Lake County Premiere
    Special Jury Award For Autobiographical Filmmaking
  • Full Bloom Film Festival
    Statesville, North Carolina
    United States
    September 20, 2019
    North Carolina Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Alder International Film Festival
    Chicago, Illinois
    United States
    September 29, 2019
    Best Documentary
  • Nashville Film Festival
    Nashville, Tennessee
    United States
    Tennessee Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Awareness Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    October 8, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Big Picture Film Festival
    Peoria, Illinois
    United States
    October 11, 2019
    Peoria Premiere
    Best Documentary
  • Southampton International Film Festival
    Southampton
    United Kingdom
    October 19, 2019
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Best Documentary
  • St Cloud Film Festival
    St Cloud, Minnesota
    United States
    November 7, 2019
    Minnesota Premiere
  • Big Water Film Festival
    Ashland, Wisconsin
    United States
    November 8, 2019
    Ashland Premiere
    Honorable Mention: Loren Savitsky Young Filmmaker Award
  • Film Girl Film Festival
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    United States
    November 9, 2019
    Official Selection
  • Disorder: The Rare Disease Film Festival
    San Francisco, California
    United States
    November 9, 2019
    San Francisco Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Utopia Film Festival
    Greenbelt, Maryland
    United States
    November 16, 2019
    Maryland Premiere
    Best Short Film Award
  • Route 66 Film Festival
    Springfield, Illinois
    United States
    November 23, 2019
    Springfield Premiere
    Best Student Film
  • Inclús, Barcelona International Disability Film Festival
    Barcelona, Spain
    United States
    November 30, 2019
    Spain Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DIVERSITY Feedback Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    December 3, 2019
    Canada Premiere
    Best Documentary Characters & Best Film
Director Biography

My name is Kyle Anne Grendys. I am many things, a little sister, a world traveler, dog mom, musical fanatic, a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee’s film program, oh … and I have a disability. I was born with an incredibly rare genetic disorder called Fraser Syndrome. The day I was born doctors told my parents I wouldn’t survive the night. 26 years later I am still proving them wrong. I like to say that I see the world through a view you can’t get from two eyes. I have seen the very worst the world has to offer but without seeing the bad you would never recognize the good. I dedicate my life to making films about everything good.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

From the moment I could hold a camera, I knew I would grow up to make this film. Making “Fraser Syndrome & Me” gave me the opportunity to give to others what I needed growing up. I needed to know that I wasn’t as alone as I felt. My family needed to know that there were others out there going through the same journey. That yes, it is going to be a long and sometimes difficult road, but there is hope. After all of my traveling, I can honestly say that the individuals I met who have Fraser Syndrome are some of the best people. Everyone would enjoy hearing their stories and have the pleasure of knowing them. It is clear that these individuals have experienced a lot of hardships but they choose to be loving and kind. Parents that have endured these hardships continue to fight and believe in their child when the world does not. I started this journey feeling utterly alone. But now, I can’t believe how lucky I am to be a part of this beautiful family.