"Sisterly" is a documentary short film about sisterhood, autism, and communication by director and producer, Nina Vallado. It premiered in Virginia at ArtSpace Herndon, 750 Center St. on Thursday, Aug. 17, hosted by the Nonspeaking CommUnity Consortium, an organization whose mission is to promote access and communication choice for nonspeaking individuals through education, research, and advocacy. Due to the large crowds, two screenings were held, one at 6:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.

"Sisterly" tells the story of Vallado and her nonverbal autistic sister, Lisa. It follows their lives, from Lisa's birth, through childhood up to age 16 and when Lisa, an autistic with unreliable speech, learned to communicate by spelling on a stencil letter board. This is a rapid-prompt method of communication taught at Growing Kids Therapy Center in Herndon. The film continues to the present day.

During the question and answer period after the screening, Vallado explained why she chose "Sisterly" as her film. "When I started [the film], I meant for it to be objective, without me involved," Vallado said. "The point was to tell Lisa's story."

Two years into the project and filming, Vallado explained, she stopped. "I realized I could not tell Lisa's story, I could only tell my story...I didn't know my younger sister Lisa the way I wanted to know her."

Vallado explained that sisterhood wasn't supposed to be like this. She had expectations set in place, her mother and aunts all held a special bond, and she wanted that too. Autism silenced her sister's thoughts, and because she and Lisa could not communicate, they grew apart. Even now, Vallado struggles to use the letter board with her sister, she said.

Filmgoer, Allison Parcell commented after the screening how the film relates to relationships and family connections regardless of extenuating circumstances. "The film not only speaks to a relationship complicated by communication challenges but also speaks to all relationships and the power of intentionally seeking connections with family members and friends, no matter the challenges that get in the way."

When asked if the film is completed, Nina Vallado said, "Twenty-eight minutes is what it is. The story is not finished." Lisa Vallado, who five years ago could not express her thoughts, was asked what she would like to see as a sequel to “Sisterly.” She pointed to the letters on her letter board and said, "I would make a film about having a friend for life."

The Boston Film Festival recently selected "Sisterly" as the "Best Documentary Short Film - 2017.” On Aug. 10, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences notified Vallado that her film had advanced through the Preliminary and Semifinalist rounds of judging, and was now a Finalist for possible selection as the Student Academy Awards of Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal.

To view a trailer of "Sisterly" by Nina Vallado, visit vimeo.com/210889429

For more information about the Nonspeaking CommUnity, visit nonspeakingcommunity.org.