In their new play, autistic playwright Harmon dot aut creates a character much like themselves: Chantal Buñuel, a nonbinary autistic cinephile. Raised in poverty and diagnosed with autism, Tourette’s syndrome, alexithymia, and synesthesia, only six years ago.

Tornado Tastes Like Aluminum Sting traces the play’s evolution—interweaving interviews and workshop readings with Craig Lucas (The Light in the Piazza, Days of Wine and Roses), rehearsals led by Oliver Butler (What the Constitution Means to Me, A Knock on the Roof), and a performance by Jean Christian Barry (How to Dance in Ohio). The film is charged with hallucinogenic animation by Soul Proprietor.

A bold collaboration of neurodivergent artists, the film announces a singular new voice—transforming lived sensory experience into something electric, disorienting and wholly original.