NJ Filmmakers bring ADHD story to life in short film HYPER INATTENTIVE
for 2026 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge
Watch the Film now on YouTube and Facebook
Montclair, NJ – Saturday, April 4, 2026 – Reckless Theatrics is proud to announce their latest short film, “Hyper Inattentive,” is competing in this year’s Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, a national contest that highlights inclusivity and authentic disability storytelling through short-form cinema.
“Hyper Inattentive” is a dramedy about a young woman with ADHD who suddenly becomes the guardian of her precocious four-year-old sister when their parent disappears on a bender. With a social worker visit looming, she struggles to keep herself and her household together, while her sister’s elaborate pillow fort forces her to confront her own insecurities and embrace her neurodivergent identity.
“I wanted to tell a story about two characters who share a similar type of neurodivergence, but whose experiences manifest in completely different ways. Our two main characters have ADHD, one inattentive and the other hyperactive,” says Sam Nieves, who wrote the script, produced the short, and stars in it.
“As someone with ADHD, the heart of the story is that despite society telling us to conform and ‘push through” in order to be productive, it is far more valuable to honor our true selves, and meet ourselves where we are. Instead of trying to conform to societal demands and expectations for acceptance, we should be nurturing the relationships that meet us where we are and allow us to exist without judgment.”
Produced by Sam Nieves, Ali Hardy, and Mattie Cameron Rosen, with Dante Leach directing, the film combines humor, heart, and realism to tell the story of an often invisible disability. It also marks the acting debut of Eliyana Araten as the fort-builder, Bailey.
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge invites filmmakers from across the country to create short films in just five days using assigned genres, props, and other story elements. The challenge aims to raise awareness, showcase creative talent, and reframe the narrative around disability in the entertainment industries. The submissions, like Hyper Inattentive, are then broadcasted on the film challenge’s official Facebook and YouTube channels for an Awareness Challenge Week, where each short competes with one another to get the most views and engagement.
Watch and Support:
Audiences can view “Hyper Inattentive”, share the film, and join the conversation about neurodiversity on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FTvX9QYKR/ or YouTube.
About Reckless Theatrics
NJ/NY-based Reckless Theatrics is a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive productions across film, stage, and digital media. Their work focuses on telling the stories of marginalized groups while also championing diversity and inclusion in all forms of art. Learn more about their work at https://recklesstheatrics.com.
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