Destiny

Running time: 98 mins

A mother fights to rewrite the script for her autistic son. Lin, a young mother in modern China, has one goal: to get her autistic son Xi He an education at a "normal school" so he can live an independent life. She races between her low-level bank job and damage control at Xi He's school, where his behavioral problems are causing increasing outrage from the other parents. When her goal appears out of reach, the depth and horrific source of her determination are revealed. From director Wei Zhang (Factory Boss, Cinequest 2016), this heart-wrenching story opens a window into a society struggling to support people with special needs—and highlights how a mother’s love is strong enough to fight destiny. – Pia Chamberlain Sponsored by the Applied Materials Foundation and Nathan Louie