Omaha Actor Joey Drwal Stars in “Chapter 21” at Omaha Film Festival
Omaha actor Joey Drwal is set to deliver his biggest on-screen performance yet in the short film “Chapter 21,” which will premiere at the Omaha Film Festival next month. The film, directed by Katie Stoneburner, features an all-local cast and crew and centers on a sibling relationship.
A Personal Story Brought to Life
Stoneburner, a 2020 graduate of West Millard High School, is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Documentary Film Making at the University of the Arts London, having previously attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for her undergraduate studies. “Chapter 21” was inspired by her brother, Will, who has Down syndrome.
“Growing up with my brother had a profound impact on my life, not just in the inspiration for ‘Chapter 21’ or the inspiration for wanting to be a filmmaker for disability advocacy, but also just in the way I want to live my life,” Stoneburner told WOWT. “He taught me gratitude and selflessness and just wanting to get the most out of life.”
Challenging Representation in Film
Stoneburner intentionally crafted “Chapter 21” to offer a different perspective on disability representation in cinema. “A lot of films that have somebody with a disability kind of have them as a side character or maybe comedic relief,” she explained. “But Joe is at the forefront of our film, he’s the protagonist, he’s one of the main characters.”
Drwal expressed the importance of sharing his story, stating, “Sharing my story is important to me because everyone deserves to sense included.”
Premiere Details and Festival Information
“Chapter 21” will premiere on March 13 at ACX Aksarben Cinema during the Omaha Film Festival. The festival, established in 2005, showcases approximately 100 independent films each year, selected from nearly 1000 submissions.
Stoneburner intends to continue filmmaking, with a focus on documentary work. A GoFundMe campaign was previously launched to support the production of the film, highlighting its focus on disability awareness.
As Drwal shared with WOWT, “This is the biggest role I’ve had as an actor.”