Austin Smiles 35th Anniversary Documentary Premiere

Austin Smiles 35th Anniversary Documentary Premiere, presented by Heritage Title will make its’ online debut February 20, 2021 at 7pm on Austin Smiles YouTube and Facebook pages. The documentary showcases over 40 interviews with clients, surgeons, anesthesiologists, staff and supporters. The design of the creative project aims to transport viewers to another place and perspective, featuring footage from past trips to Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico, and Cuba. Viewers will witness heartwarming testimonies of thousands of lives changed through no cost cleft lip and palate surgeries to thousands of children and adults since its inception. The soundtrack for the documentary features a live recording of Austin’s salsa band, the Brew.  

This unique homegrown Austin nonprofit not only provides social and emotional supports for children locally with this condition but transports Austin’s finest medical professionals to areas that have inadequate resources for this population. The narratives of the documentary weave together stories of heartbreak, abandonment, transformation, love, and the beauty of giving back. It even features old footage of the KEYE news channel accompanying the non-profit on a trip to El Salvador in the early 90s where they follow the journey of a little girl with a cleft lip who lived in a dirt house high in the mountains. Neighbors in the child’s village told the little girl’s mother to let her die because of her condition. Her life was ultimately transformed by Austin Smiles medical volunteers who give their expertise, time, and care at no cost. Volunteers decide to travel with Austin Smiles because it creates a sense of purpose. For decades they have served as ambassadors of hope for so many children and even adults who have been shunned from their communities.  

Anyone can watch the documentary from home, as well as support the cause through donations and participation in the online auction and raffle. The Wish Upon A Smile Raffle is a private house concert by the Brew and a meal for 10 guests from the Austin Artisan. It also features staycations, fun things to do in Austin, cosmetic procedures, and more. For more information about the event and Austin Smiles visit: www.austinsmiles.org 

These are some of the few supporters and volunteers you will hear from in the documentary:   

Gary Famer – Heritage Title, Kevin Hull – Altrua Healthshare, Dr. Patrick Beckham – Founder, Dr. Jim Cullington – Founder – Seton, * Dr. Mark Malone – Advanced Pain Care, Beau Theriot – the Oasis, Dr. Fred Wilder & Dr. Bill Gorman – Austin Plastic Surgery Institute, Melissa Grant – Crescent House Furniture, Laura North – Allergan, Dr. Rocco Piazza – the Piazza Center, Dr. Mahlon Kerr & Dr. Lauren Crawford – Synergy Plastic Surgery, Dr. Pat Kelley – Dell Children’s Medical, Dr. Ned Snyder of Snyder Plastic Surgery, Nicole & Dr. Cameron Craven of Westlake Dermatology and many more.