Kevin Gillese and the team behind “How to Ruin the Holidays” successfully raised over $118,000 via Kickstarter for their new film. Gillese’s comedic film got the green light with an expanded budget and new stars. “How to Ruin the Holidays” revolves around a character with a developmental disability and the complex realities that come with adult family life. The character is played by local actor Luke Davis, who has a developmental disability himself. The project will also feature Colin Mochrie (star of “Whose Line Is It Anyway”), Amber Nash (voice of Pam Poovey on “Archer”), Aisha Tyler (winner of Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host, and voice of Lana Kane on “Archer”), and Henry Zebrowski (creator of “Last Podcast on the Left”).

“In movies and television, special needs characters are treated like children, even if they are full-grown adults. Through “How to Ruin the Holidays” I want to give adults with special needs their own agency, and deal with the real-world issues that are part of their lives. And I want to do it in a comedic format,” says Gillese.

Gillese intends to create a script that uses comedy to address heavy subject matters. Some of the topics include questions of employment, sexuality, and how adults with special needs care for themselves when their parents pass away. Although “How to Ruin the Holidays” is a comedy at heart, the compelling themes will prove the power of comedy by engaging audiences with crucial issues like treating people with developmental disabilities with dignity and respect.