My Hero Brother | A DocuNation Campaign

A film by Yonatan Nir | 78 minutes | Israel | 2016 A group of young Israelis with Down syndrome embark on a challenging backpacking journey through northern India, accompanied by their brothers and sisters. Each pair of siblings brings with them a deep and complex relationship, as well as an unresolved conflict. The journey through the Himalayas confronts the participants with physical and emotional challenges, brings childhood memories to the surface, and reveals the difficulties, love, and moments of magic that are part of life alongside a sibling with Down syndrome. Set against the spectacular landscapes of the Himalayas and accompanied by original music by Israeli musician Ehud Banai, a journey to a distant land becomes an inner journey toward closeness, acceptance, and reconciliation. A Film That Continues to Create ChangeSince its release, My Hero Brother has been screened at more than 150 festivals and special events worldwide, translated into multiple languages, and honored with numerous international awards. Its achievements include the Best Documentary Film Award and Audience Choice Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, as well as the Best International Director Award at the Doc Edge International Film Festival in New Zealand. Over the past decade, the film has been screened for more than 500,000 students throughout Israel. We met these students face-to-face through screenings accompanied by conversations with the filmmakers. These encounters gave young people an opportunity to ask questions, share personal experiences, and discuss Down syndrome, sibling relationships, independence, acceptance, and inclusion. In surveys conducted before school screenings, approximately 80% of students reported that they had never met a person with Down syndrome face-to-face. For many, the film and accompanying conversation offered a first opportunity to encounter people with Down syndrome not through a stereotype, but through a complex, relatable, and deeply human story. From a Screening to an Educational ProcessTo ensure that the experience does not end when the credits roll, DocuNation developed lesson plans and educational resources that enable teachers to continue the conversation in the classroom. One of the most significant initiatives created around the film was My Hero Brother - At Eye Level in Beersheba. The project was designed to bring the film, meetings with the filmmakers, and guided discussions to approximately 16,000 middle- and high-school students across the city. The screening therefore becomes more than a one-time event. It becomes an ongoing educational process that invites students to examine assumptions and consider how they can contribute to a more inclusive, respectful, and equitable society. Why We Need Your SupportThe film still has the power to reach new audiences and create meaningful change. Contributions will help DocuNation expand its educational, community, and international distribution, including: • Bringing the film to schools, universities, communities, and organizations in Israel and worldwide • Holding screenings accompanied by conversations with the filmmakers • Updating, developing, and translating lesson plans and educational materials • Translating the film and making it accessible to additional audiences • Building partnerships with educational and disability rights organizations • Introducing the film to international broadcasters, platforms, and distributors Through My Hero Brother, international audiences encounter an Israeli story rarely seen in the headlines – a story about family, sibling relationships, love, complexity, acceptance, and the possibility of change. With your support, we can bring the film to more students and communities, open hearts, challenge perceptions, and continue the conversation long after the screening endsץ .