Experiencing Interruptions?

Reality Is Optional - Optional Guide to Taking Over the World

Wishing for a safe, accepting community for isolated and lonely kids who loved to be creative, Kim Firmston, a passionate writer, and her then nine-year-old, Emily, started a youth-led writing club that aimed to teach through play and eventually take over the world.

  • Caelan Bell
    Director
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Kim Firmston
    Director
  • Eli Smart
    Director
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Caelan Bell
    Writer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Emily Firmston
    Writer
  • Kim Firmston
    Writer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Eli Smart
    Writer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Caelan Bell
    Producer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Kim Firmston
    Producer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Eli Smart
    Producer
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Caelan Bell
    Key Cast
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Kate Burley
    Key Cast
  • Lucas Diano
    Key Cast
    Pulled
  • Emily Firmston
    Key Cast
  • Kim Firmston
    Key Cast
  • Alexis Kelly
    Key Cast
  • Die Lowe
    Key Cast
  • Eli Smart
    Key Cast
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Em Williamson
    Key Cast
    Adaptation In The Impoverished City
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Social Justice, Education, Documentary, Interview, Disability
  • Runtime:
    22 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 22, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    14,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1080X1920
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Caelan Bell, Kim Firmston, Eli Smart

Caelan Bell is a sixteen-year-old filmmaker and artist. He was a producer, writer, and actor in the documentary Adaptation In the Impoverished City. He spends his free time watching movies, playing video games, and Dungeons and Dragons. He also volunteers and teaches at the AWCS youth programs. This is his first step into the world of film and filmmaking which he hopes will become a career.

Eli Smart is an eighteen-year-old Playwright, Poet, Screenwriter, and Filmmaker. He was a producer, writer, and actor in the documentary Adaptation In the Impoverished City. He has created a short film for The Quaranteens project by Jupiter Moon Productions for Found Fest. He takes part in the Alberta Theatre Projects Youth Writers Group. He is also the youth liaison, instructor, and member of the Alexandra Writers Center Society’s Youth Writers Program (AWCS).

Kim Firmston is the youth program director of the AWCS Youth program and the founder of Reality Is Optional kids' writing program. As such they get roped into many a project. Their goal as a producer/director is to make sure the kids learn, have agency, and enjoy the process while wearing as many hats as they are comfortable with. Kim is a published novelist, playwright, director and producer of Adaptation In The Impoverished City, and will say yes to just about any project - especially if it involves youth.

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Director Statement

This is a collaboration project and with three directors, it was great to have everyone practice listening, leading, and following. All in all, it was great fun. We hope you enjoy watching it.