What’s your favorite food?
For Sammy, the question sets off a cascade of thoughts. In Too Many Options, a new animated short from the Exceptional Minds Animation Studio, a moment of small talk becomes a moment of overwhelm. As Sammy struggles to choose just one answer, the film offers a close look at analysis paralysis, an experience that’s especially common for people on the autism spectrum.
The film was written and directed by Exceptional Minds alum Jacob Lenard, who based the story on his own experiences as an autistic person. Too Many Options is the first release in the Autism Enlightenment Library (AEL), a new series of short animated films created to build understanding of autism through personal storytelling and visual language.
“I’m thankful to EM for giving me the chance to try making something through a full pipeline system,” said Jacob. “As someone used to doing everything alone, this turned into something I never could’ve pulled off by myself. I’m looking forward to continuing working with people who have essentially become another family to me.”
Each short in the Autism Enlightenment Library will be written, directed, and animated by graduates of the Exceptional Minds Academy, all of whom are on the autism spectrum. These artists now work professionally in the Exceptional Minds Animation Studio, where they bring their insight and creativity to client projects and original content.
The videos in the AEL are designed to be under five minutes long and highlight individual aspects of the autistic experience — ranging from sensory sensitivities to communication patterns to moments of internal logic that may be misunderstood by others. The goal is to help people who are not on the autism spectrum better understand their autistic peers.
“I am thrilled that Jacob Lenard’s Too Many Options has completed production and is the first of many short content videos in EM’s Autism Enlightenment Library,” said Steff Farrar, Director of the Exceptional Minds Animation Studio. “This library will showcase content written and created 100% by the authentic, autistic voices and talents of our exceptional graduates and I couldn’t be more proud of not only employing them as serious artists, but by ensuring they have a nurturing and safe space to create and a platform to be seen and heard.”
Exceptional Minds is a nonprofit training academy and studio that prepares young adults on the autism spectrum for careers in the digital arts. Our program includes technical training, work readiness, and ongoing support as students transition into professional roles in animation, visual effects, and related fields.
Through the Autism Enlightenment Library, Exceptional Minds artists are offering authentic stories that invite viewers to open their minds about what it means to build an inclusive society.