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A Film Festival Putting Neurodivergent Talent Front and Center

04.12.26

Blu Star Productions is launching the inaugural Blu Star Film Festival on Saturday, May 2 at The Frida Cinema, with in-person screenings scheduled from 3 to 11 p.m. The festival will also stream online, extending its reach well beyond the theater.

The event features the work of eight Southern California production studios made up entirely of neurodivergent adults, many on the autism spectrum. These filmmakers are paid and credited for their work, but their films are often only seen within their own studio communities. This festival changes that, bringing their work to a broader audience in a shared, public setting.

Founded by Alex Astrella, Blu Star Productions was created by an artist with a disability for artists with disabilities, with a focus on providing resources and opportunities to showcase their work on a larger stage. Astrella, who is autistic, set out to highlight creators who have often been underestimated and to create a space where their work is taken seriously.

“I see myself in so many of the artists who are participating in our festival; like myself, they were told at a young age they wouldn’t ever live independently. However they have defied the odds and are now making films for audiences around the world to see,” Astrella said.

The 2026 festival includes notable guests such as Dani Bowman, along with voices in the neurodivergent community like Kerry Magro and Eileen Lamb, and participating studios including Exceptional Minds and Spectrum Laboratory.

For those attending in person, the festival is structured in screening blocks, with several pass options depending on how much of the day to experience. A single-block pass is available, along with multi-block and all-access options that include early entry and reserved seating. There is also a virtual pass that provides access to the full film catalog, livestreams, and Q&As from home.

The festival continues online after the in-person event, with additional livestreams, Q&As, and at-home viewing options available through the platform.

Tickets and more information, here thefridacinema.org/movies/blustar-film-festival/ 

The Frida Cinema is at 305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana.

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