Directing

Michael Joseph McDonald

Michael Joseph McDonald is a filmmaker and writer whose work explores disability, belonging and the relationships between individuals and their communities. His films include the documentary short 6,000 Waiting (2021), which he wrote, directed and edited, and the animated short Freebird (2021). McDonald’s international documentary work includes As I Am, a series developed in collaboration with people with intellectual disabilities. His approach, which he calls adaptive filmmaking, adapts production methods to the communication and participation needs of the people involved. Before filmmaking, he worked as a caregiver and ghostwriter in France & Kenya. He is the founder of the nonprofit Everable.