The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Tying Your Own Shoes

2009 16 min
Leaving soon

This short animated documentary offers an intimate glimpse into the exceptional mindsets and emotional lives of four adult artists with Down Syndrome. An artful, four-way essay about ability, film explores how it feels to be a little bit unusual. In her follow-up to her award-winning film, John and Michael, filmmaker Shira Avni pursues a deeper understanding of esteem and disability by inviting Petra, Matthew, Daninah, and Katherine to consider their pasts, relationships and ambitions.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Tying Your Own Shoes

Details

This short animated documentary offers an intimate glimpse into the exceptional mindsets and emotional lives of four adult artists with Down Syndrome. An artful, four-way essay about ability, film explores how it feels to be a little bit unusual.

In her follow-up to her award-winning film, John and Michael, filmmaker Shira Avni pursues a deeper understanding of esteem and disability by inviting Petra, Matthew, Daninah, and Katherine to consider their pasts, relationships and ambitions.

Psychology and Psychiatry People with disabilities All subjects
  • writer
    Shira Avni
  • director
    Shira Avni
  • story
    Matthew Brotherwood
    Daninah Cummins
    Katherine Newton
    Petra Tolley
  • animation
    Matthew Brotherwood
    Daninah Cummins
    Katherine Newton
    Petra Tolley
  • supporting animation
    Shira Avni
    Lillian Chan
    Jonathan Ng
  • editor
    Carrie Haber
  • original music
    Luigi Allemano
  • sound design
    Luigi Allemano
  • musician
    Luigi Allemano
    Michael Bérard
    Mariane Croteau
    Dave Laing
    Shawn Mativetsky
    Catherine Meunier
    John Roney
  • foley
    Karla Baumgardner
  • music recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • foley recording
    Geoffrey Mitchell
  • re-recording
    Shelley Craig
  • digital imaging specialist
    Susan Gourley
    Pierre Plouffe
  • digital artist
    Fred Casia
    Randall Finnerty
    Sarah Marchand
  • location audio
    Salim Hammad
  • location video
    Salim Hammad
  • online editing
    Denis Gathelier
  • titles
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • technical co-ordination
    Julie Laperrière
  • production coordination
    Rosalina Di Sario
  • administration
    Gisèle Guilbault
  • marketing manager
    Mia Desroches
  • executive producer
    David Verrall
  • producer
    Michael Fukushima

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Roku Apple TV Fire TV Android TV Apple App Store Google Play Store

Education

Ages 15 to 17
Study Guide
Guide 1
School subjects
Diversity - Identity Ethics and Religious Culture - Ethical Values
Lead a discussion on living in harmony, showing tolerance and accepting differences, particularly in regard to people with Down syndrome. Show that these young people struggle with some of the same problems as anyone else, and want to love and be loved, find acceptance and realize their fullest potential as individuals in society
Tying Your Own Shoes
Purchase options
Also available
DVD
Licence information
Already paid to see this film?
Licencing information

Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

You may download this film for private, personal or classroom use only. Public screenings and institutional (non-educational institutions) uses are not permitted. Download films in standard or high definition. (Please note that bonus materials are not available for DTO films.) You can copy each file up to 5 (five) times, onto various devices. DTO films cannot be hosted on a streaming server. To add DTO films to an institutional or educational streaming server, please contact a sales agent to discuss pricing.

Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.

Explore