Fight ALS Film Fest – Go On, Be Brave

This ALS Awareness Month, join us for panel discussions on these incredible ALS films. This series is being hosted by The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) and Her ALS Story. Our emcee for the events will be Sunny of SunnyStrong. Thank you to our incredible sponsor Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America for supporting this program!

Please note, by registering for the film festival, you will receive weekly email reminders a few hours before the event with login information for each of the panel discussions. We ask that all participants watch the films before the panel to have sufficient background knowledge for the discussion unless noted otherwise.

Week 1 5/6 at 6:30 CT – Gleason
After he is diagnosed with ALS, former professional football player Steve Gleason begins making a video diary for his unborn son, as he, his wife, and their friends and family work to raise money for ALS patients as his disease progresses.
How to Watch: Prime Video is the best way to watch this film!
Book Pairing: “A Life Impossible” by Steve Gleason with Jeff Duncan
Panel Discussion: 5/6 6:30 CST
Panel Participants: TBD

Week 1 Part Two 5/9 at 6:30 CT – Not Going Quietly
Ady Barkan’s life is upended when he is diagnosed with ALS, but a confrontation with a powerful senator catapults him to national fame and ignites a once-in-a-generation political movement.
How to watch: Hulu streaming is the best way to watch this film!
Book Pairing: “Eyes to the Wind: A Memoir of Love and Death, Hope and Resistance.” By Ady Barkan
Panel Discussion: 5/9 6:30 CST
Panel Participants: Director Nicholas Bruckman

Week 2 5/13 at 7:30 CT – New Life
There are many twists and turns throughout the movie as we learn more about why Jessie is on the run and why Elsa is chasing her. However, there is one particular twist that makes New Life unique – while coordinating the search for Jessie, Elsa is also dealing with a recent diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
How to watch: link coming soon
Panel Discussion: 5/13 7:30 CST
Panel Participants: Director John Rosman, Lisa Cross-Bonahoom

Week 3 5/20 at 7:30 CT – Go On, Be Brave
Go On, Be Brave is a film about Andrea Lytle Peet’s race against time – a diagnosis of ALS and an attempt at the impossible: to be the first person with ALS to complete a marathon in all 50 states.
How to watch: https://bit.ly/streamGOBB (proceeds go to the Her ALS Story Annual Retreat!)
Book Pairing: Hope Fights Back by Andrea Lytle Peet and Meredith Atwood
Panel Discussion: 5/20 7:30 CST
Panel Participants: Andrea Lytle Peet, Filmmakers Miriam McSpadden and Brian Beckman

Week 4 5/28 at 7:30 CT – LUKi and the Lights
The story follows an active, charming, and upbeat robot named LUKi who enjoys hanging with friends. One day after work while playing soccer, LUKi’s arm begins to malfunction. After a trip to the doctor, LUKi is diagnosed with ALS.
How to watch: We will be watching this 11-minute short film together
Panel Discussion: 5/28 7:30 CST
Panel Participants: Toby Cochran, Dr. Melinda Kavanaugh, and producer Adrian Ochoa