Savannah Filmmaker Pat Longstreth to Release Award-Winning Documentary IRON FAMILY Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day

Press Release

March 6, 2026 — Local Savannah filmmaker Pat Longstreth knows a thing or two about documentaries. Not only is he the founder of the inaugural Hindsight Film Festival taking place in Savannah from March 4–8, his own award-winning documentary, IRON FAMILY, will be released on streaming platforms on March 16, 2026, in advance of World Down Syndrome Day.

IRON FAMILY, which won the 2022 Slamdance Audience Award, follows Jazmine Faries, a 32-year-old woman with Down syndrome whose passions include soap operas, Barbie dolls, and Matthew McConaughey. For the past five summers, her family has staged her original plays for small audiences in her hometown of Iron River, Michigan. The film captures Jazmine’s creative process as she writes, rehearses, and prepares for performance, while also revealing her desire for independence, her longing for romance, and the profound way one person’s imagination can uplift an entire community.

The film also stars and was co-produced by Chad Faries, a professor at Savannah State University and the brother of the documentary’s subject.

The film will be available for rent or purchase on major platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+, beginning March 16, 2026.

About the Film

IRON FAMILY (2022 Slamdance Audience Award winner) documents the creative life of Jazmine Faries in Iron River, Michigan, as she channels her imagination into original theatrical productions staged annually by her family. Both intimate and uplifting, the film offers a moving portrait of artistry, ambition, and community impact while celebrating self-expression and independence.

Watch the official trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZgR0x7E0g8

About World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) is observed every year on March 21 to raise awareness about Down syndrome and promote the rights, inclusion, and well-being of people with the condition. The date (3/21) symbolizes the genetic cause of Down syndrome—an extra copy of chromosome 21, also known as trisomy 21.

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