As the lights dimmed and the screen began to glow with the film’s opening scene, audience members at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage settled in for a journey into Samuel Habib’s world.

Born with cerebral palsy, the 25-year-old filmmaker and his father created the documentary The Ride Ahead: Love, Tattoos, and Other Disabled Things to capture Samuel’s transition into adulthood as he pursues higher education, ponders romance, faces medical challenges, transitions into independent living, and advocates for disability rights. 

They hope the film, which includes conversations with different mentors who have disabilities, can serve as a source of affirmation and guidance for other young people with disabilities as they build the lives they dream of.

“People with disabilities should have their voices heard and we should be able to tell our stories,” Samuel said.

The Ride Ahead, which premiered in April, has touched audiences around the globe. Monday, however, was the first time the Habibs had the opportunity to screen the film in their hometown of Concord before family, friends, neighbors and mentors.

“It’s pretty mind-blowing to know that people all over the U.S. and in Russia, Spain, Australia and other countries are watching the film,” Samuel added. “We’re hearing great feedback from all over the world.”

The Ride Ahead has garnered accolades at multiple festivals and conferences, including winning Best New Hampshire Feature Documentary at the New Hampshire Film Festival and the Best Directors award from the SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Samuel and father Dan Habib won an Emmy last year for their short film, My Disability Roadmap, which originated as a sizzle reel for the feature-length film.

At the Concord screening, Dan described making the film with his son as “the best thing” he’s done in his career. 

“It was thrilling to look out on an audience packed full of people that have been such important parts of our family’s life, and especially Samuel’s life,” Dan said. “The work Samuel is now doing on a national and international level is built on the foundation of this community – friends, the Concord schools, businesses, health care workers, direct support professionals, disability organizations like Community Bridges, and many others.”

The Habibs donated all proceeds – totaling several thousand dollars – from the Concord screening to Community Bridges, a local non-profit that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, along with their families. Through a variety of services, Community Bridges aims to advance integration, growth, and interdependence while building a sense of community for those with developmental disabilities.

“I hope people take away a new perspective on the capabilities and contributions that people with developmental disabilities can provide to strengthen our communities,” said Shawnna Bowman of Community Bridges. “Samuel’s incredibly talented and he has a lot of great things to say. I’m really looking forward to people having the opportunity to hear and learn from his experience.”

Samuel and Dan created The Ride Ahead with a team made up of a majority of people with disabilities. They also designed the film’s roll-out to include an educational component, launching a community screening campaign to provide free education kits and screenings to connect youth with disabilities. The Habibs additionally created an online discussion guide and a life-planning tool for young adults with disabilities.

Disability rights advocate Keith Jones, who has known Samuel for most of his life and features in the film as one of the mentors, attended the Concord screening and participated in a Q&A session with the filmmakers. He expressed his pride at seeing the evolution of Samuel’s journey.

“Just watching Samuel actually chase his life and the way he see it, I’m like, ‘Yes!’” Jones said. 

Jones hopes the film will build a sense of empathy, appreciation, and understanding among those who view it.

“We are human,” he added. “We love. We laugh. We hate. We cry. Just like everybody else.”

Amy Girouard-Crush attended the screening with her daughter, Ally, who, like Samuel, uses a communication device.

“I am hopeful the film will show us a path for what inclusion looks like after high school and how to be successful in helping my daughter fulfill her hopes and dreams,” Girouard-Crush said.

Samuel, who has been a student at NHTI for the past few years, will begin at SNHU in January. He also works part-time at the Westchester Institute for Human Development, in addition to volunteering at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage this fall and winter.

“Young people with disabilities who have seen the film so far have told me that they have the same questions as I do about dating, sex, moving out of their own family’s home, how to respond when people talk down to them, work, and college,” Samuel said. “That means a lot to me.”

The Ride Ahead will be screening at Red River Theaters in Concord through December 12. For tickets, visit https://redrivertheatres.org/film/the-ride-ahead/. 

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com.