Unauthorized Absence: Short movie and og panel discussions
17:00-18:00
Welcome to a Screening of the Short Film Unauthorized Absence and a Panel Discussion
The Icelandic Autism Society is organizing this screening both for those who have experienced having a child struggling with school refusal and for those whose role is to support the well-being of these children and their parents in Iceland.
A large proportion of children experiencing school refusal are autistic, making this an important advocacy issue for our organization. Finally, through the medium of film, we have a way to explain and illustrate what families facing these challenges are often going through.
Programme
17:00 – Opening remarks
17:15 – Screening of Unauthorized Absence
17:30 – Short break
17:45 – Panel discussion
*This event will be in Icelandic. The movie is in English*
Admission is free, but seating is limited. Please register for the event to secure your seat.
You can find the registration link by clicking the button on the side of the page.
About the Film
Unauthorised Absence is a 16-minute short film based on the real-life experiences and accounts of hundreds of families who have been harmed by the very institutions that were supposed to support them. The film tells the story of a mother under immense pressure from an education system that repeatedly misinterprets her daughter’s distress as disobedience and defiance.
The film aims to shed light on the real human experiences behind headlines and statistics about school attendance and education reform: a child’s sensory distress, parental exhaustion, and the gradual breakdown of a family under constant scrutiny and pressure.
At a time when media coverage and public debate focus largely on data, statistics, and definitions, the film seeks to foster empathy and deepen understanding of the real families and personal stories behind the headlines.
Accessibility
Elissa Hall is easily accessible, with a low threshold at the entrance. We would also like to highlight the availability of a quiet space in the Ilona Room, located in the former director’s apartment. Visitors are welcome to rest and enjoy some quiet there.
Further information about accessibility at the Nordic House can be found on the Nordic House website
