London's 6th Disability Film Festival, December 2004
The London Disability Arts Forum (LDAF) in collaboration with the
National Film Theatre (NFT) would like to announce that its 6th
Disability Film Festival will take place on 1 - 5 December 2004 at
the NFT, South Bank, London.
LDAF's Disability Film Festivals have previously taken place during
the summer, but this year the 6th Disability Film Festival moves to
December to coincide with World Aids Day on 1st December and the
International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December.
Over the past five years, the Disability Film Festival has screened
over 200 films. Many of them have toured nationally and
internationally. The Disability Film Festival is unique in several
features:
- The festival only screens films in which disabled people
have had creative control. This means that the majority of films
have been written directed or produced by disabled people or have
been made collaboratively with disabled people.
- This festival represents some of the finest talent amongst
disabled artists and filmmakers on these islands and worldwide. The
festival strives to provide disabled filmmakers and artists with an
atmosphere where they can exchange ideas and network with each
other.
- The subject and style of all of the films is diverse. Contrary to
popular belief, disabled artists are creating extraordinary work
that doesn't necessarily focus on disability.
- Access is a
priority. This year, LDAF will continue to work with the NFT to
improve the accessibility of the viewing experience. Each film will
be soft-titled, audio-described and BSL-interpreted. Palantype
transcription will be simultaneously projected at all panel
discussions. The Disability Film Festival is increasingly viewed as
a model of good practice for those organisations who wish to be
proactive in embracing the law. In October this year, the final part
of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is implemented,
stipulating that 'all leisure venues must make reasonable
adjustments for disabled people'.
- It is the only Disability Film Festival of its kind in the world,
because it is produced by disabled artists and has been used as a
model of good practice for disability film festivals in cities
including Helsinki, Melbourne, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, Calgary,
Toronto, Tampere and Beirut.
"Lovely, friendly atmosphere"
"I finally made it for your film festival. ....very impressed, moved
and inspired by all the films." Audience members at 5th Disability
Film Festival
"Extraordinary! I've been aiming to get here for some time. I'm so
pleased we made it!" Faye Ginsburg, New York University
"This is the best event I've been to in a long while." Philip
Barden, Deloitte & Touche
"This festival is an event of national significance. A brilliant
idea." Joe Bidder
"That a weekend of films like these can be shown in a high profile
central London venue is sensational". Kate Ansell, BBC's disability
website (www.bbc.co.uk/ouch)
The 6th Disability Film Festival Programme will include the feature
films 'After life' starring Paul Sage and 'Cloud Cuckoo Land'
starring Derek Jacobi; short films, including 'Not The Usual Victim'
and 'I'm not From Hear' and panel discussions, including 'Access
Some Areas' - about work and training opportunities in film and
video (in association with BECTU) and 'Creative Survival' - about
the barriers experienced by filmmakers who are mental health service
users (in association with Mental Health media).
For further information contact:
Caglar Kimyoncu and Cristina Perezzani
LDAF's Disability Film Festival Office
T: +44 (0)20 7691 4203
Fax: +44 (0)870 168 8073
Email: caglar@ldaf.net or cristina@ldaf.net or www.disabilityfilmfestival.net
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