Animated Short Film Review: What Is Dyslexia?

What is Dyslexia? is a short animated film directed by Kyra Bartley. It tells the story of Lola, a young girl who – like millions of children every year – looks up the definition of her condition only to discover the stigma attached to it. Confronted by clinical terms like “intellectual disability” and “lifelong disorder,” she falls down a metaphorical rabbit hole, much like Alice in Wonderland.

In this magical world, she learns about the nuanced, colourful, and optimistic aspects of the condition. Moving far beyond the perceived setbacks, Lola discovers that dyslexia often signals a unique way of processing information, encouraging her to pursue her dreams rather than fear them.

Over her journey with an inventor and unlikely friend, she meets figures like Muhammad Ali, who open her eyes to the possibilities of the dyslexic mind. These interactions show her that “dyslexic thinkers” are often gifted with the ability to see beyond conventional boundaries, using what others might consider a disadvantage to unleash their wildest dreams.

The film ‘s mission is as clear as it is ambitious. It was created to specifically challenge the current Google search rankings for the query “What is dyslexia?” By crafting a delightful, high-quality film and garnering reviews, the creators aim to displace clinical and distressing search results that currently leave 9 out of 10 children worried about their future.
The film highlights a more empowering reality: dyslexic thinkers tend to excel in creativity, lateral thinking, and complex problem-solving.

A true passion project, the film features the voice talents of Jeremy Irons and Liv Tyler, who lend their international credibility to the endeavor. Set in a surreal and dreamlike space, the film ‘s exuberant spirit works to shift paradigms in more ways than one. The production was lovingly brought to life by a team comprised largely of dyslexic thinkers, including producers and Lorne Balfe: the Grammy-winning composer who provided a soaring soundtrack as well as Ted Griggs, who contributed his song “Colours.”

“What Is Dyslexia?” proves that an early diagnosis is only the beginning of a journey, not a limitation. While the magical adventure is short-lived, its overarching themes are profound. It is a tender, sweet-natured, and experimental campaign that successfully presents the dyslexic community with a much-needed optimistic viewpoint on a condition long associated with disadvantage.