DIFFERENT | Award Winning Short Film by Tahneek Rahman

A deaf girl comes across a boy who is paralyzed from the waist-down, but neither of them know about each other's differences.

Writer/Director:

Winner for "Best of Show" and "Audience Choice" at the Reel Short Teen Film Festival in Orlando, Florida at the Enzian Theater (March 4, 2017).

Official Selection for the All American High School Film Festival in New York (July 30, 2017).

Official Selection for the 26th Annual Brouhaha Film & Video Showcase (October 27, 2017).

Submitted to New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, Pratt Institute, Ringling College of Art & Design, and University of Central Florida's School of Visual Arts & Design.

[uNeekProductions]

Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for getting our film over 1 MILLION VIEWS!!! We truly appreciate each and everyone one of you who has liked, commented, and shared this short film. We created this a little over three years ago and it just now has started to gain traction thanks to all of you. We have been reading the comments and noticed that many of our viewers are hard-of-hearing or deaf. These viewers have requested us to put in subtitles, something we should have included since day one. We apologize to any of our viewers who were unable to experience the film in its full form. As a result, we have now included subtitles for the film. We hope you give the film another chance and take the time to share your thoughts. Once again, we sincerely apologize. As always, be sure to like, comment, and subscribe. We will be uploading more short films and other creative content in the coming weeks and months as we slowly navigate through the current pandemic. Stay safe and be "uNeek!"

[jaefast]

Ok here we go... Whenever I start watching one short film, I get sucked into a vicious loop of short films and I can never stop

[yazminelle]

We expect things from people in our way and we forget that people around us are different, such a powerful reminder! Thanks

[bepositivewithpoulami]

"Don't expect.... Only accept".... This is the only reminder of this amazing movie.

[bluegirlgraphics]

Reminds me of this girl I used to work with at a fast food place. She was deaf and mute and they pretty much just gave her busy work and did very little to actually "deal" with her. Even the person who brought her in would sign to her and speak "just do what they say" in a very brusque way. She would just walk around the place wiping the tables and windows and looking very sad. Nobody would actually engage her. One day I was sitting on the floor at one of the tables for lunch and she came into view to eat too. She looked so sad and lonely. She happened to catch my eye and I motioned her to come sit with me. Her eyes got so big like she was really happy and surprised. We wrote notes back and forth while eating and I found out she was living in a group home for deaf people and she was originally from Thailand. After that she looked much happier, less mopey and she would always sneak into my area to come talk to me with notes. The mgmt didn't like it but I was happy she was happy. They started telling me to supervise her because she no longer listened to them. She just wanted to talk to me. I got the feeling she had very few people who gave her attention which is so sad. She wasn't there too long (I think maybe a month) and she showed me a picture of the reason why she was leaving. She had a fiancee she was going to marry in Thailand so she was going home to do that. She seemed very happy and excited about going home. I kind of wish I had gotten to talk to her more and been able to keep in touch with her by mail (this was before the internet).

[tonyakelly]

I used the video today for all my Social Studies classes and its was great to use a reflection on cultural diversity and how we can reflect on being kind and showing our difference doesn't change who we are.

[Jen-frsd]

Thank you . I love this. My sister has Downs Syndrome and this movie reminds me of all she has had to endure going through life to prove she is worthy, in a world of many people who seem to think that they know what "normal" is supposed to be. Not so. Normal comes in many forms. It's the unrealistic expectations in society, fear, that casts a shadow .

[littlemrpinkness]

You just never know what someone's capabilities or limitations might be, but everyone has something good to offer.

[gocrii]

Just asking who doesn’t look behind first when someone just puts something down their shirt? I’m not trying to hate this short film is so lovely💕

[ToThoseWhoVanished]

we only hurt ourselves when we are quick to judge

[staredsky]

A simple but very strong plot; a simple but very effective direction and editing; for a simple but very powerful short. with a simple, strong, lovely idea.

[clarehart]

This short film brought up so much emotion in me. It's always wonderful to see people connecting instead of building walls.

[Siputsantuy]

- Exposition : Emily wants to make a friendship with sam.
- Rising Action : Emily falls while skateboarding in front of Sam.
- Climax : Sam can't help her 'cause he can't stand. but Emily thinks that Sam dosen't care 'cause she is deaf. then she hates him.
- Falling Action : Emily sees Sam being helped into a wheelchair by someone.
- Resolution : now they start to understand each other, and make a friendship.

[manshibhatia]

Moral - we should not judge someone so quickly without even knowing the truth.... ❤❤ wonderful ❤

[enduraman]

The message is people are different in ways you may not at first understand. When you assume people are mean, you are often mistaken. We need to give people more credit. They often have good reason for what they do. This script writer wrote a great short.

[sanjanasrinivasan]

Just reminded me, how some can be compassionate but might be greedy or some might be selfish but peaceful and calm all the time?

We are differently disabled, and if we could just pause and realise others have their own shortcomings before we judge.. life would be more beautiful

[lovemecom]

Oh my god! this video will make us realized that we should not look about differences on one another.

[riveraaguirregrecia]

This video seems incredible to me, it teaches us that we can be different from each other but that without a doubt our empathy unites us.

[mystic]

I'm in tears how we judge people BC they don't react or do what we want. Shame on me.
Beautiful...Thank you!

[paoladelgado]

This video is incredible, it made me realize how important it is not to judge people and understand that not because they have a limitation prevents them from being good people.