Projects in genres: Disabilities

Synopsis

The film features a group of women who reside in a care home in a small market town of Sefrou, Morocco. HER PLOT OF BLUE SKY is a record of one of the days in which the Amazigh women inhabitants of the care home were seen using the cameras. The images they create - of themselves and others - are playful yet harrowing, they point to the invisibility of women, non-hetero normative, neurodiverse, functionally diverse and elderly people in media more general. Woven into the women's narratives is Rachida Madani’s poem, Tales of a Severed Head.

Synopsis

Meet Special K, Peanut, Charlie, and the rest of The Brentford Penguins, a soccer team with a difference: all the young players have Down’s Syndrome. MIGHTY PENGUINS follows Coach Allan, the players, and families as they prepare to be the guard of honour for a Premier League match. Official Selection Tribeca Film Festival 2023 - World premiere

Synopsis

For eight years, 68-year-old Louise has been looking after her mum Rita, who is 92 and living with dementia. As both women grapple with Rita’s rapidly deteriorating condition, Louise must decide the best path forward for both herself and her mother.

Synopsis

A physically disabled man treks to Everest Base Camp on horseback, yet when the mountain puts his life on the line, he's forced to question how far he's willing to go, just to fit in.

Synopsis

A 30-minute opera film featuring the creative talents of 85 people living with Parkinson's. With a narrative inspired by the extraordinary exploits of historical English heroine, Margaret Catchpole (1762-1819), the original score by Amy Mallett incorporates music, libretto, choreography and art co-created with members of the Parkinson’s community.

Synopsis

Asa is struggling with the loss of his mum, while his sister Rachel does much the same with old videos. Their father becomes increasingly frustrated. One day, Asa pursues a delivery robot trundling past their house. John and Rachel begin a panicked search to find him, and a way to reconnect…

Synopsis

CABBAGE reframes language, illuminating relationships of care at its centre. Bureaucratic violence is contrasted with lived experience: the filmmaker centralises her brother’s writing (who is non-verbal and non-mobile) using eye tracking technology, and her mothers reflections, to explore layers of power, and to reclaim it within an ableist paradigm. Official Selection Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival 2023

Synopsis

An operation 10 years ago left Allister with damaged vocal cords and an obstacle to communication. His unusual solution reminds us that community thrives in surprising places. Official Selection True/False Film Fest 2023 Official Selection Sheffield DocFest 2023 Official Selection IDFA 2023

Synopsis

Against a backdrop of cherished family photos and Carl’s striking artwork, the sisters look back on their childhood and share their dreams for the future. KIN charts the siblings’ transition into adulthood alongside the evolution of the digital photographic age and Carl’s art practice. Individual and collective memories play a central part in the film and become a vehicle through which topics such as conflict, separation and connection are subtly woven. Reflecting the depth of relationships and holistic support for artists and families within the Hastings-based art collective Project Art Works, KIN offers a perspective on caring for a sibling with complex support needs, rarely represented in the media. Informed by co-director Esther Springett’s own experience growing up and supporting her sister and family, the film lifts the lid on a lesser-heard sibling voice. Tim Corrigan (co-director) brings together beautifully crafted and touching scenes from Carl’s artistic life over the years, radiating from the Project Art Works studios. Official selection London Short Film Festival 2024 - UK premiere

Synopsis

Perfectionist Lee must adapt to the imperfect reality of living with an illness – brought to life as her chaotic supernatural flatmate Bug. A dark comedy animated short, narrated by Rachel Jackson, about accepting the long-term effects of disability. Official Selection Animafest Zagreb 2023 Official Selection Edinburgh International Film Festival 2023

Synopsis

A call-to-action short film that uses verbatim dialogue from disabled actors told from their lived experiences. The film unfolds through vignettes of the main characters, as we watch them smash stereotypes and reveal societal barriers, whilst breaking the fourth wall to reveal their inner most thoughts.

Synopsis

For the Welsh national Cheer squad, nothing means more than representing their country at the highest level. They’re willing to give it everything, but how will they fare in a final showdown for gold against cheerleading superstars Team USA? This empowering film follows the disabled and non-disabled athletes of Team Wales Adaptive Abilities on and off the mat as they prepare for the World Cheerleading Championships in Florida. After years of hard training, their chance to be named the best in the world comes down to a two-minute, 15-second routine for the judges. Grierson Awards 2023 - Nomination - Best Sports Documentary