Huntington’s Disease Advocate’s Film Huntington’s Dance Premieres at SlamDance Fest this Weekend

Last summer, I blogged here about our friend Chris Furbee’s 18 year journey to complete an autobiographical documentary film about the impact of Huntington’s disease on him and his family. When I wrote about it in July, Chris was still nearing the finish line but I’m incredibly happy to report that the film, Huntington’s Dance, is now completed. You can watch the movie trailer above. And here’s the tagline for the film from Chris’ website:

HUNTINGTON’S DANCE is an 18-year chronicle of one man’s reckoning with a hereditary disease. Brutal and unforgiving, the diagnosis is always fatal. Finding a way to overcome is the only answer. 

But wait, there’s more!

Out of 5,500 submissions, Huntington’s Dance was one of 19 feature-length films selected for the 2014 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. This festival caters to innovative and first time filmmakers and runs from Friday through Thursday in parallel with the larger Sundance Film Festival. Chris sums up his goals for the film this way:

Since I was 18 years old I have been raising money for advancing research and education of Huntington’s disease. This film will put a face to Huntington’s and by doing so will generate conversation among the general public that will result in improved care and treatment of those with Huntington’s, and most of all facilitate finding a cure to eradicate the disease throughout the world.

On behalf of the entire CIRM family, I want to congratulate Chris on an amazing personal achievement for raising awareness about Huntington’s disease. We wish you the best this weekend in Utah!

For info about CIRM-funded research related to Huntington’s disease, check out our HD fact sheet.

Todd Dubnicoff