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.
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Kyle Anne GrendysCreator
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Patty WaltersComposer
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Kyle Anne GrendysEditor
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Rachel WaltersArtist
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Richard WilkersonAssisted Editor
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Josh MallettAssisted Editor
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Maggie RosarioAssisted Editor
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Project Type:Documentary, Student
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Runtime:19 minutes 43 seconds
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Completion Date:May 10, 2018
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Production Budget:10,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes
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Sedona International Film FestivalSedona, Arizona
United States
February 26, 2019
North America Premiere
Audience Choice: Best Student Short Film -
Wildwood Film FestivalAppleton 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 FestivalMurphysboro, Illinois
United States
June 1, 2019 -
Georgia Documentary Film FestivalAtlanta, Georgia
United States
June 1, 2019
Atlanta Premiere -
Kadoma International Film FestivalKadoma, Osaka
Japan
July 28, 2019
Japan Premiere
Mayors Award -
Salute Your ShortsLos Angeles
United States
August 16, 2019
LA Premiere
Runner Up - Best Documentary -
Vail Films FestivaVail, Colorado
United States
August 17, 2019
Colorado Premiere
Official Selection -
Oregon Documentary Film FestivalOregon, Washington
United States
August 11, 2019
Oregon Premiere
Official Selection -
ReelAbilities - PittsburghPittsburgh, Philadelphia
United States
September 5, 2019
Pittsburgh Premiere
Official Selection -
Chicago Southland International Film FestivalChicago, Illinois
United States
September 7, 2019
Chicago Premiere
Real Cinema Award -
The Lake County Film FestivalLake County, Illinios
United States
September 7, 2019
Lake County Premiere
Special Jury Award For Autobiographical Filmmaking -
Full Bloom Film FestivalStatesville, North Carolina
United States
September 20, 2019
North Carolina Premiere
Official Selection -
Alder International Film FestivalChicago, Illinois
United States
September 29, 2019
Best Documentary -
Nashville Film FestivalNashville, Tennessee
United States
Tennessee Premiere
Official Selection -
Awareness Film FestivalLos Angeles, California
United States
October 8, 2019
Official Selection -
Big Picture Film FestivalPeoria, Illinois
United States
October 11, 2019
Peoria Premiere
Best Documentary -
Southampton International Film FestivalSouthampton
United Kingdom
October 19, 2019
United Kingdom Premiere
Best Documentary -
St Cloud Film FestivalSt Cloud, Minnesota
United States
November 7, 2019
Minnesota Premiere -
Big Water Film FestivalAshland, Wisconsin
United States
November 8, 2019
Ashland Premiere
Honorable Mention: Loren Savitsky Young Filmmaker Award -
Film Girl Film FestivalMilwaukee, Wisconsin
United States
November 9, 2019
Official Selection -
Disorder: The Rare Disease Film FestivalSan Francisco, California
United States
November 9, 2019
San Francisco Premiere
Official Selection -
Utopia Film FestivalGreenbelt, Maryland
United States
November 16, 2019
Maryland Premiere
Best Short Film Award -
Route 66 Film FestivalSpringfield, Illinois
United States
November 23, 2019
Springfield Premiere
Best Student Film -
Inclús, Barcelona International Disability Film FestivalBarcelona, Spain
United States
November 30, 2019
Spain Premiere
Official Selection -
DIVERSITY Feedback Film FestivalToronto, Ontario
Canada
December 3, 2019
Canada Premiere
Best Documentary Characters & Best Film
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.
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.