Dashiell Meier is building a career driven by storytelling, creativity, and advocacy. From directing award-winning short films to speaking at global platforms like the United Nations and Stanford University, Meier has become a strong voice for authentic disability representation in entertainment. The filmmaker, actor, and public speaker is set to star alongside Ashley Judd in the upcoming sports drama 21 Down while continuing to create projects that highlight the experiences of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In this conversation, Dashiell opens up about filmmaking, advocacy, working on 21 Down, and the importance of telling stories that create real change.
HELLO DASHIELL MEIER, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! TO START, COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO OUR READERS AND TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A FILMMAKER AND ADVOCATE?
I am a college student, filmmaker and a disability rights advocate. I started giving speeches about my disability, Trisomy 21/Down syndrome when I was in elementary school, and my advocacy took off in 4th grade when I won the California State Yes I Can Award. In middle school I made my first film called Silent Colors about a lonely nonverbal boy who communicates through drawing. I loved the experience and realized I could use films for advocacy. I have made several short films since, both live action and animation, and most of them show disability as a positive thing. I feel like I belong and that I found my place and my purpose. This is what I am supposed to do.
YOU RECENTLY WRAPPED THE SPORTS DRAMA “21 DOWN” WITH ASHLEY JUDD. WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING ON THAT PROJECT AND PLAYING A LEAD ROLE?
It was outstanding! It has been a dream of mine for my whole life to act in a feature film, and I can’t believe that my dream came true. 21 Down tells the true story of Caden Cox, the first man with Down syndrome to kick and score in a college football game. I played Caden, so I got to learn how to kick a football and play the drums. I enjoyed watching Sean McNamara, the director, whose work is driven by passion. I was just in awe of him and the entire crew, and I learned so much about filmmaking. Sean even let me direct a scene!
We filmed in Georgia in January and February, so some of the days were quite cold. Since it was a football movie, we were outside a lot, but we had a lot of fun because the crew was friendly and so nice.
Playing a lead role was a dream come true, especially to get to play someone as great as Caden. There was pressure playing a lead because I had to work long days almost every day, and I had to be in good spirits all the way through. I just reminded myself in the harder times that I’m here for a reason and everyone here supports me. And the cast and crew were so supportive, and they believed in me.
Overall, I loved the whole entire process, and everyone there was so awesome. I was very lucky to have my mom with me too. It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM WORKING WITH OTHER ACTORS ON “21 DOWN”?
I learned a lot from my fellow actors who are much more experienced. I felt lucky they were so patient, and I enjoyed listening to their conversations and being a part of a team. I especially enjoyed working with my film family, Ashley Judd, Dylan Walsh and Christopher Convery, because we got to spend a lot of time together on the set, and they helped me rehearse and talk about the scenes to make sure I was ready for filming. They listened to my ideas too, and I loved collaborating.
YOU WERE PLAYING A REAL PERSON NAMED CADEN COX IN THE FILM. HOW WAS PLAYING A REAL PERSON DIFFERENT FROM PLAYING A FICTIONAL CHARACTER? DID YOU GET TO MEET CADEN COX?
When you play a real person, you have to find qualities in yourself that mirror that person and also put in your own organic spin. It’s a big responsibility because you do not want to upset the person who you are playing. In order to play a real person, you have to have a balance of imagination and knowing what the real person is like.
Meeting Caden Cox and his family was amazing. Caden is such a phenomenal person who has done incredible things in his life. He’s very positive and sees the best in everyone. He’s friendly and kind, and I relate to Caden because we both have Down syndrome, but also in that he did not let anything stop him from letting his dreams come true, and I feel the same way. We all want our dreams to come true, but at the heart of it, in order to accomplish a dream, you have a lot of responsibility to that dream to make it come true. I am lucky to have Caden as a friend now!
YOU JUST FINISHED A FILM FOR THE EASTERSEALS DISABILITY FILM FESTIVAL. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FILM?
My dramedy short Pros & Coins tells the story of how we make big decisions in our lives. My dad wrote the script, and I had an amazing cast and crew. This was my hardest film to direct because I had more actors, and I feel like people expect more from me. For me, I want to make more original stories and not repeat what I’ve done in the past. One thing I like about Pros & Coins is that it shows a mostly disabled cast just living life and having fun because I want to show that we are mostly the same as nondisabled people. We have something to offer our community, and we need more opportunities to be in films to show that we have fun, worthwhile lives. When I say my films are an extension of my advocacy, I hope that my films will transform the world to understand that everyone has their own perspectives. When we share our experiences and perspectives, we can make the world a better place.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FILM “DAY 21” BEING INCLUDED IN THE NEWFILMMAKERS LOS ANGELES SCREENINGS. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO HAVE YOUR FILM HAVE SUCH ACCOLADES?
I loved making Day 21 because of its message and what it shows about disability. I really wanted to show that people with Down syndrome are capable and how we support each other. I want to entertain and educate people. Making films makes me feel like a part of society. When I make a movie, I get a good feeling inside saying this is who I am, this is what I stand for, and this is what I have to offer. Getting noticed for that is amazing.
COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING INTERVIEW SERIES, “THAT SOMETHING EXTRA,” AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE WITH IT?
That Something Extra is a short-form video series where I talk with experts about topics that affect people with Trisomy 21/Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities and their families. For example, I will have shows about sleep, posture, memory, music – really anything that might be interesting or useful. I love to interview people, and I thought I could make fun, useful videos to help people live better lives. I am about to film my first episodes and they will go out on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok plus a website.
WHAT OTHER PROJECTS DO YOU HAVE IN THE WORKS BESIDES YOUR DOCUMENTARY ON DOWN SYNDROME?
I have a few acting projects coming up plus I am working on an animated short called 321 about an unlikely disabled superhero. I was recently named a 2026 Disability Belongs Entertainment Lab Fellow, so I am beyond excited to work with so many amazing people!
WHEN YOU AREN’T WORKING OR ADVOCATING, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO FOR FUN?
I love to draw while I listen to audiobooks, plus hang out with my family and go to the movies.
Thank you so much for interviewing me!
