Autism In Entertainment

Celebrating year 3-peat at Comic-Con International!

On Friday, Autism In Entertainment screened its 3rd in 2 years at the San Diego Comic-Con Film Festival.
Heaps of Dani Bowman fans saw her life story unfold in an efficient 5-minute non-fiction movie. Filmmaker panelists included Judi Uttal, Paul Hemstreet, Julian Grajczak, & Marlene Sharp. Much missed onstage: Josh Copelan and Johnna Cho, Esq.!

Esteemed attendees were Rob Kutner, Hillary Bibicoff, Bob Boden, Rachel Boden, Marla Boden, Jeudi Cornejo Brealey, Sean Wicks, Henry Andrade, Patrick Eidemiller, many Danimation Entertainment students, and new friends galore.

Fingers crossed for tonight’s award
ceremony . . .

Thank you, WORLD OF DIFFERENCE, Darryl Owens, Beacon College, PBS, Adam Neese and

🎉 The Summer 2026 Autism In Entertainment Newsletter Has Arrived!

Discover how autistic talent is shaping the future of the entertainment industry.

Inside this issue you'll find:

🎬 An inspiring spotlight on actor Devin Morrissey
🎭 News from Comic-Con International
🤝 Our new Mentor Circles program
📚 Four free career and resource guides
🎤 Upcoming webinars and community events
✨ Stories of inclusion, opportunity, and success

Whether you're an autistic creator, family member, educator, employer, or industry professional, there's something here for you.

📖 Read the Summer 2026: Newsletter:https://autisminentertainment.org/news-2/

If you enjoy what you read, be sure to subscribe so you'll never miss future newsletters, events, and free resources!

Dani Bowman and Autism In Entertainment bring A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE to San Diego Comic-Con International Film Fest!

What: "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" segment re:
DaniMation’s Dani Bowman screens in competition with a panel to follow.

When: Friday, July 24, 11:30 am.

Where: Marriott Hotel next door to San Diego Convention Center, 2nd floor.

Why: Darryl E. Owens and Beacon College hired AIE to produce this “Difference Maker” segment for its long-running PBS series. We entered the mini-doc into competitions, and now we enter our 3-peat year as SDCC Film Fest contenders!

Who: See our video crew live, in-person and onstage at SDCC! We are Judi Uttal, Paul Hemstreet, Julian Grajczak, Josh Copelan & Marlene Sharp (마를린). Our brilliant legal mind Johnna Cho joins in spirit! Dollie Grajczak and Jeudi Cornejo Brealey are there to cheer, et al. Surprise guests *might* appear.

How: Screening is open to all SDCC badge holders.

More info is on the Comic-Con International website.

Thank you, Adam Neese and SDCC FF!

Bonus: DaniMation shows original animated shorts - including God's Gang! - during Los Angeles/San Diego International Children's Film Festivals at SDCC this weekend. Check the official SDCC website for date and time.

On the eve of its run, a champ crosses our path. Virtually meet the team behind darling HORSEGIRLS!

Autism In Entertainment hosts Lillian Carrier (lead actor), Lauren Meyering (writer/director); producers Michael S. Sherman, Mackenzie Breeden, Alix Madigan-Yorkin; and disability access manager Chloe Estelle in a one-hour Zoom session on Thursday, July 16 at noon Pacific Time. Zavikon’s Devin Morrissey moderates.

Register at no charge here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/JCYbO12LTAi-vrJtECTFRg #/registration

Since "A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" (AWOD) last Thursday, July 2, there has been . . . an actual world of difference! Here’s what happened:

1) PBS aired the Autism In Entertainment-produced, Dani Bowman-focused “Difference Maker” segment on July 4 for a true Independence Day episodic celebration!

2) The aforementioned video posted on the AWOD website for public viewing:
https://awodtv.org/episode/finding-your-tribe/

3) Comic-Con International announced the Friday, July 24 (11:30 am) screening and panel of same at San Diego Comic-Con Int’l Film Fest (SDCC FF). Complete film fest schedule is here:
https://www.comic-con.org/cc/things-to-do/film-fe

4) The AIE full webinar video - starring Beacon College’s Darryl E. Owens, Judi Uttal, Paul Hemstreet, Julian Grajczak and Dani Bowman herself - went live on YouTube here:
https://youtu.be/iWzORR2y_aw?is=ugJUGLt6ySXlZJFi

Did you know that there is a secret speakeasy at DreamWorks??? Neither did we! But thanks to our darling cohort lead Angela Lepito, Autism In Entertainment saw it up close and personal yesterday . . . In all of its authentic 1940s splendor!

This was an extra special treat for Angela’s mentee Rachel Boden (plus mom Marla Boden and dad Bob Boden), because Rachel just wrapped ON THE AIR! - an original Spectrum Laboratory stage musical by Cathy McAuley, Jim Landis & Garth Herberg - set in the very same period.

Thank you, Angela and DreamWorks Animation colleagues, for a beautiful experience!

Explore AIE individual, business, and educational member perks (like this studio tour and more!) here:
https://autisminentertainment.org/membership/

"A World of Difference: Embracing Neurodiversity" stars in the next Autism In Entertainment webinar. Welcome, Executive Producer Darryl E. Owens and Difference Maker Dani Bowman!

Join producer Paul Hemstreet for a behind-the-scenes conversation celebrating the PBS series A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. Featuring series creator Darryl Owens of Beacon College; animator, advocate, and television personality Dani Bowman (LOVE ON THE SPECTRUM, DaniMation); and editor Julian Grajczak, this special event explores the making of the Autism In Entertainment-produced “Difference Maker” segment that is the Dani Bowman story and also winner of the Best Documentary award at DigiFest Temecula® 2026.

Premiering as part of the PBS docu-series on July 4, the Dani Bowman story focuses on the ways that Dani redefines what’s possible for neurodivergent creators. See how/why this series inspires inclusion, opportunity, and lasting change.

Register for the Thursday, July 2 (noon - 1 pm Pacific Time Zoom session here:
https://lnkd.in/gCUn6jqJ

On the heels of the spectacular NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS, NEXT for AUTISM switches gears and offers its fact-filled Autistic Workforce Study. Access it free-of-charge here: https://nextforautism.org/inside-the-autistic-workplace/?mc_cid=865be950ed&mc_eid=006579c647

Brett Whitmarsh interviews NFA’s Abigayle Jayroe MBA and Candace Weaver-Dowds, LMSW about key study results on his YouTube BRETT, THE AUDHD BOSS here: https://youtu.be/JiKn9R_8vVU?is=s4z6XyiSuZw498MF

To revisit NIGHT OF TOO MANY STARS highlights from the May 7 Netflix is a Joke Fest show, look no further than the Facebook, Instagram and TikTok feeds of working actors/ cast members Dani Bowman and Caroline Corry, like so: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1683036889489019&id=100033481729719&mibextid=wwXIfr

It’s summer, but we’re not gonna stop!

Sign up for this triple whammy:

1) Sandstone Artists client & influencer Mat Brunet (AniMat) appears on Sunday, June 7 at 1 pm PT for Autism Society of America/Orange County (formerly Orange County Asperger's Support Group). Register here:
https://lnkd.in/gDmw6Vqd

2) GameU x AIE bring Miki Straus online to Zoom re: Roblox and Minecraft on Monday, June 8. Sign up here:
https://lnkd.in/gwWG_jax

3) BRIC Foundation’s Darlene Marie Mortel Edouard, PhD enlightens us re: BRIC digital badges on Thursday, June 18. Add your name here: https://lnkd.in/gxWCGeVE

See you soon!