Three western Sydney films are finalists in the international Focus on Ability Film Festival.
More than 160 films from 16 different countries participated in the short film festival, which culminates in an awards night on September 9.
Creative director Ryan Goodwin, from St Marys, said the festival was aimed at ‘‘raising awareness of the abilities of people with a disability’’.
‘‘We are so thankful that film-makers from all over the world are also focusing their talents on this festival,’’ Mr Goodwin said.
Three western Sydney filmmakers are finalists in the festival. Read more about their entries below:
— by Year 11 students from Kellyville High School, facilitated by teacher Fabio Caprarelli (Short film finalist in the school entrant category)
Based on a true story of a mother dealing with the difficulties of raising her autistic son.
She encounters lack of support and intervention services.
Liberal MP Alex Hawke appears in the film sharing his views on the lack of government funding for people with disabilities.
Click here to watch We Were Like Rain ... Silver Liquid Drops.
— by Seven Hills filmmaker Jo-Anne Brechin, filmed at Werrington Public School (Documentary finalist in the school entrant category).
When Werrington Public School pupil Jacob grows up he wants to be in the Navy.
It's all he wants. It's all he dreams about.
So the staff at his school takes Jacob on the excursion of a lifetime to help him follow his dreams.
Click here to watch Captain Jacob.
— by producer and director Melanie Sequeira, from Kellyville (Documentary finalist in the open category).
Jodi Elkington-Jones, from Kellyville Ridge, is a paralympian athlete with cerebral palsy affecting the right side of her body.
At just 22 years of age she has achieved international success representing Australia in the Commonwealth Games, the International Paralympic World Championships and the London Paralympics.
This documentary gives an insight into the daily life and challenges of a paralympian.
Click here to watch A World Champion.
■ The Focus on Ability Schools Screening event is on September 8 at The Concourse, in Chatswood, where 15 school film entrants will be shown and there will be advice from film and television experts.
■ The Red Carpet Awards Evening is on September 9 at the The Concourse, in Chatswood. It is a free event where festival winners will be announced and there will be a screening of 10 winning films, plus entertainment from former The Voice Australia winner Anja Nissen.
Click here for details.
To reserve tickets call 8886 5802 or email events@novaemployment.com.au.
Were you happy with the response from filmmakers?
We continue to be blown away by just how much talent is on show, not just from the film makers, but also the people with disability that are featured in the documentaries and short films. We are so delighted with this year’s entries and we are very proud of this promotion of ability.
What is the goal of the festival?
To have people in the general community become more aware of the talents that people with a disability posses and to assist in breaking down any barriers they may face. We come from a Disability Employment background, so we see on a daily basis how people with disability are making first class employees.
Did the participating filmmakers do a good job at highlighting what the festival is all about?
The quality of the films this year is top rate and enables us to feature a number of films on an SBS documentary as well as a 12-part television series to be aired on Foxtel across December and January.
We have a wide range of skilled participants from school students making their first film project, through to semi professional film makers, the most important factor isn’t the cinematic qualities, it is providing the audience with an insight into the lives of people with a disability.