Dutch writer-director Mari Sanders, who uses a wheelchair himself, will world premiere his feature debut 'Stand Up' in the international narrative competition at the Tribeca Festival on June 6. The film follows Vera, a 23-year-old whose life is upended by an accident that leaves her in a wheelchair, as she connects with Zander, a 22-year-old aspiring stand-up comedian who has used a wheelchair since birth. Starring Lucia Zemene and Daan Buringa, the film was edited by Yorgos Mavropsaridis and is being sold by Loco Films.
dutch director mari sanders — who's a wheelchair user himself — is world-premiering his debut feature 'stand up' at tribeca on june 6. the film follows vera, 23, who ends up in a wheelchair after an accident, and zander, 22, an aspiring stand-up comedian who's used one since birth. cast includes lucia zemene and daan buringa; yorgos mavropsaridis handled the edit.
Story fills the significant 'film_tv' and 'culture' coverage gaps with specific, verifiable details from a strong source (Hollywood Reporter), offering a fresh perspective on disability representation that aligns with LOOPED's internet-culture focus on underrepresented narratives.
Disability representation behind the camera remains rare in major festival programming. Sanders directing a disability-centered narrative from personal experience — and landing in Tribeca's international competition — signals a slow but real shift in who gets to tell these stories. The film's focus on identity after disability, rather than tragedy, positions it against a long history of 'inspiration porn' framing.
a wheelchair user directing his own feature about wheelchair users — and landing in tribeca's main competition — is still rare enough to be the headline. the film frames disability around identity and humor rather than pity, which is the exact story disabled audiences have been asking for.
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