Young people with disability get behind the camera to break down the barriers. See the video.
A dynamic group of young people with disability are taking back their power and creating new and exciting career options for themselves by learning how to tell their own stories via film.
The youngsters, all clients of disability provider Afford, have spent the past several months being schooled by professional filmmakers in the art of storytelling, with a focus on creating short films via the latest smartphones.
The group, armed with nothing but mobile phones and unlimited data courtesy of project partner Optus, have crafted their own mini masterpieces and in doing so transformed themselves from passive characters to active storytellers.
“It’s not just about what’s shared; it’s about realising that your voice matters and that your experiences are valuable,” says Afford’s head of Engagement Nicole Bryson.
“By learning to tell their own stories, people with disability challenge stereotypes, educate audiences, and foster empathy and inclusion and that’s exactly what our clients have done by creating these films.
“Plus, they can now take their new skills into the work force, effectively breaking down barriers and proving that people with disability have a place in the creative industries.”
Self-told stories by people with disability resonate on a universal level because they’re rooted in personal truths. They highlight shared human experiences—joy, struggle, love—through the lens of a unique perspective.
But it went much further than that, said Ms Bryson.
The development of new skills in storytelling, filmmaking and editing were of equal importance and meant participants had access to potential new career pathways, including the film industry, but also the worlds of visual art, content creation and even podcasting.
Angela Blake, filmmaker and co-founder of the worldwide SmartFone Flick Fest SF3, said this was one of the reasons she leapt at the chance to work with Afford on this project.
“This film school has been so important,” she said.
“Everyone involved has learned valuable skills that they will most certainly take into employment with them, or even better, will help them gain employment.
“Afford’s film project meant they learned to work together in a fast-paced team environment, to make critical creative decisions, to write and tell stories in a professional way and of course, upskilled their knowledge of technology and how to use it to tell stories in the modern age where that skill is critical.”
The group’s members showcased their storytelling talents at a film screening at Afford’s head office in Parramatta, Sydney this week, to mark International Day of People with Disability.