New Hampshire Film Festival 2009

Mito-Kids is the story of four teenage sisters who have grown up with disabilities that stem from mitochondrial disease, a chronic, genetic disorder that occurs when the mitochondria of the cell fail to function properly. This is an intimate and personal story that aims to increase the understanding of mitochondrial disease and its connection to epilepsy, diabetes, ALS, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Heart Disease and many other neurological disorders. Marc Dole is the father of these four young women and the film’s producer and director. Mito-Kids is an inspirational and relatable documentary film that balances personal testimony with scientific fact. Marc has shot close to 100 hours of home video since the birth of his first daughter 19 years ago. Footage includes everything from holidays and family vacations to seizures and hospital stays. In addition to the family footage, interviews with medical experts and original animation break down the role of mitochondria in producing cellular energy and explain what happens to the human body when these cellular powerhouses fail. The incidence of mitochondrial disease is estimated at 1:3000-4000 individuals in the US and yet the disease is relatively unheard of in the public sector and poorly understood in the medical community. The filmmakers believe this project will inspire dialogue within the public and medical communities toward the ultimate goal of increasing scientific research.