Film3: Using NFTs To De-stigmatize Dyslexia

The convergence of filmmaking and web3 is burgeoning. Known as Film3 across the creator economy, the movement is attracting a rising number of emerging and seasoned filmmakers, who are exploring how blockchain, crypto, NFTs and DAOs can help finance, franchise, market and distribute films. While a number of film3 projects getting attention in the news have harnessed web3 technologies to fundraise for the production of their films, some creators are entering the ecosystem to promote the message of movies that have already been made. Award-winning screenwriter and director, Ann Hu, is one of them. 

Just in time for Dyslexia Awareness Month, which is October, Hu is hoping to cultivate a deeper level of consciousness in the global population around dyslexia—a difference in learning that affects how a person processes words, letters and directions—through a new NFT collection, based on her popular independent film, CONFETTI.  Capturing elements of her own personal story, the film chronicles the journey of a young Chinese mother and her dyslexic daughter, as they leave their small town in China for New York City in search of a proper education for the girl. While navigating a series of rejections, trials and tribulations, the film spotlights the unique challenges and gifts of individuals with dyslexia, as well as generosity of the human spirit. 

Dyslexia does not discriminate. Irrespective of culture, language or upbringing, 1 in 10 people have dyslexia around the world. In the same vein, research shows that many individuals who are gifted in spatially oriented occupations, such as art, math, architecture and physics are dyslexic. According to the private practice, Minnesota Neuropsychology, gifted students with dyslexia “often have big ideas, are often perceptive to high level conceptual connections, and are often very creative thinkers.”

Hu was first exposed to NFTs when she was preparing to launch CONFETTI in the UK last year.  “A dyslexic audience member came to me in tears after we did a pre-screening of CONFETTI and told me that he would not have gotten divorced if he had watched this film 20 years ago,” shares Hu.

“Their child was dyslexic like him, and he and his wife were blaming each other. He was a web3 guy and insisted on me opening up to the NFT space to engage the global dyslexic population quickly. I soon came to realize the brilliant point he made—that NFTs are probably the fastest way to engage the population and to connect globally. Now, I am all about our NFT movement.”

Ann Hu, Writer and Director of CONFETTI 

On October 20, Hu is holding a BAFTA red carpet screening of CONFETTI along with an event to showcase two CONFETTI NFTs that will be free for all attendees. Later in the month, she’s planning to launch a full collection of 2022 digital art pieces depicting the main characters of the film. Holders of this NFT will have access to educational resources about dyslexia. The majority of proceeds from NFT sales will go to dyslexia-focused organizations, such as the British Dyslexia Association.  As the project evolves, Hu’s vision is to make NFT art created by dyslexic artists available and to produce a dyslexia-focused identity movement.  

Regarding misconceptions she’s observed about dyslexia, Hu said: “Sadly the public perception about dyslexia is so far from the truth. Dyslexia is not a disability. It has nothing to do with a person’s intellectual level. Dyslexia means a learning preference that is different from the mainstream.” 

As web3 proliferates industries, many of the community’s pioneers and creators want to be considered anything but mainstream. So Hu is in good company.