At Mi Cine Inclusivo, we are pleased to share that we are nearing completion of our latest film project: A Heart and a Sword. In this article, we introduce a documentary that explores inclusion, sport, and resilience in a community affected by the DANA floods.
Synopsis
Friendship and hope can arise in the most unexpected places.
A Heart and a Sword follows the journey of Manu, a teenager with autism who has been a target of bullying since the age of four. With the support of his family, he discovers fencing as a powerful path to personal growth—one that ultimately transforms his life.
Filmed in Benetússer, a town in the region of Valencia severely impacted by the October 2025 DANA storms, this documentary interweaves themes of personal triumph, community resilience, and collective rebuilding with dignity and hope.
A Club That Embraces Difference
This project is a co-production with La Robera Sala d’Armes, a fencing school based in Benetússer. La Robera currently holds the distinction of being the fencing club in Spain with the highest number of active athletes with disabilities. Their technical team has developed a unique methodology for working with people with disabilities, grounded in the belief that sport should be accessible to everyone.
La Robera commissioned our team to oversee the production, accessibility, and creative development of this work, with the goal of amplifying their mission and giving visibility to their efforts. This isn’t our first time exploring the intersection of sport and disability—our previous experience with Insport – The Challenge of Sport enabled us to streamline many aspects of bringing this story to the screen.
A Documentary to Raise Awareness and Inspire Change
A Heart and a Sword blends visual storytelling, first-person testimonies, and carefully crafted narrative to show how sport can become a tool for empowerment—and how an inclusive community can profoundly impact the personal development of someone on the autism spectrum.
However, this is not a romanticised tale. The film also addresses the real challenges faced by such initiatives in today’s social and economic climate. One of the most difficult moments portrayed is the devastating impact of the 2024 DANA storms, which caused severe damage to the club’s facilities. Yet rather than give up, La Robera’s team persevered, proving that resilience, too, can be trained.
Beyond the Screen: Accessibility, Distribution and Vision for the Future
Our aim is not only to tell an inspiring story, but to do so in a way that makes it accessible to everyone, following our inclusive cinema methodology. We are currently working on an accessible version of the short film, featuring integrated audio description, adapted subtitles, and complementary educational materials designed for use in schools, social programs and cultural initiatives. An English-subtitled version is also available.
An audiodescribed version of the official poster is available at the following link: Audiodescription.
We firmly believe that stories like this can foster new perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and promote environments that are more respectful of human diversity.
Short Film – Abridged Credits
Director & Screenwriter: Miguel Ángel Font Bisier
Production: La Robera Sala d’Armes & Mi Cine Inclusivo
Production Management: Laura Pérez Aguado, Miguel Ángel Font, Ana Martínez Blasco
Cinematography: Maximiliano Roldán Sánchez
Sound: Carles Zapater Fajarí
Editing: Miguel Ángel Font Bisier
Music: Various
VFX: David Martínez
Cast: Manuel Monzonís, Laura Pérez Aguado, Etelvina Sánchez, Manolo Monzonís, Ariadna Engo
