ABOUT Racing on the Spectrum
This documentary project in production follows three extraordinary young racecar drivers through the twists and turns of coming of age.
NASCAR driver Armani Williams, BRITCAR racer Bobby Trundley and two-time Radical Cup Champion Austin Riley believe that autism gives them special abilities to focus, process sensory information and make crisp decisions at breakneck speeds.
But it takes all their determination to meet the intense demands of the competitive racing world — along with the challenges of entering adulthood with autism. The racers seek to defy expectations off the circuit, as they pursue relationships and independence, and step into a leadership role alongside other neurodiversity advocates.
Even as we continue to film, capturing dramatic life transitions for caregivers and their young adult children alike, we continue to build a powerful impact campaign. Through partnership with these courageous athletes, their racing organizations, and an esteemed advisory group of neuroscientists and autism experts, the Racing on the Spectrum documentary project is the centerpiece of a robust audience-engagement campaign to increase acceptance of autism, raise awareness of learning differences and brain science, and help create opportunity for everyone in our neurodiverse communities to realize their full potential.
Following a special work in progress event with Armani Williams at SXSW EDU (organizers called it a highlight of their strand), Citizen Film and the National Writing Project launched a series of events at major education conferences, including the upcoming National Council of Teachers of English (November 18th). Documentary excerpts pair with tips for building classrooms where autistic students have room to thrive. Teachers bring this knowledge back to their classrooms, creating a pathway for autistic students to express themselves and be seen and heard.
Contact racing@citizenfilm.org for information on how to support the production of this documentary project and help bring it to global audiences. Citizen Film, Inc. (federal tax ID# 81-0621889) is a 501c3 charitable organization and gifts are eligible for tax deduction to the extent allowed by law.
Project Team
Director / Producer / Writer: Sam Ball
Executive Producer / Producer: Kevin O’Connor
Producer / Director of Photography: Derreck Roemer
Co-Producers: Susan Schneider Williams, Megan Carlson
Additional Cinematography: Garland McLaurin
Editor: Kate Stilley Steiner
Composer: William Susman
Sound Design and Co-Composers: David Nelson, Karl Force
Associate Producer: Manish Khanal