A short film programme curated by Wotever DIY Film Festival presenting an exciting selection of performative work by functionally diverse filmmakers exploring the intersections of queerness and disability. All films are captioned for D/deaf and Hard of Hearing audiences and are audio described for visually impaired audiences. The programme has been screened 3 times in London, Brighton, and Glasgow. Each event has featured additional access members for D/deaf and disabled audiences including BSL interpretation, large print, wheelchair access, comfy seating, and travel costs. The screenings also had additional content including performances and panel discussions.
Project aims
To attract D/deaf and disabled LGBTQ+ audiences, as well as their friends and allies, a group who often are not able to access film events. To build community, educate, and entertain through a provocative and empowering collection of short films screened with additional content including performances and discussion.
Headlines
Total audiences across 3 events throughout the UK of 225. 37% of audience members who filled out feedback forms identified as being limited a little or a lot by physical/mental health. 85% identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or preferred to self-describe. All audience members who filled out feedback forms stated they were Very Likely or Likely to attend events run by the host organisations again.
Films
Just Me
Dir. Matthew Kennedy | 2014 UK
Venus
Dir. Faye Carr-Wilson | 2016 UK
Funny GIrl
Dir. Rosina Andreou | 2017 UK
Faggot girl gets busy in the bathroom
Dir. Krissy Mahan | 2016 USA
Hold Music
Dir. Michael McNeely | 2017 Canada
Bars
Dir. Christine Bylund | 2013 Sweden
Rick
Dir. Jan-Peter Horstmann | 2017 Germany
Sins Invalid: An Unashamed Claim to Beauty
Dir. Patty Berne | 2013 USA
Key partnerships
UNIQUE (monthly social group for LGBT people with disabilities in London)
Glasgow Disability Alliance – LGBTQIA+ Disabled People’s space
The Other Screen (monthly event dedicated to the discourse of the perception of people with disabilities and the Deaf community)
Budget in brief
£2918.40
What worked
The participating organisations were able to provide relatively good access measures for D/deaf and disabled audiences, which received excellent feedback. The films and additional content also received great feedback with many audience members commenting how unique it was to have an event centred on D/deaf and disabled LGBTQ+ communities. We were able to engage well with community groups such as UNIQUE in London and Glasgow Disability Alliance’s LGBTQIA+ Disabled People’s group in Glasgow.
What has been difficult
We had hoped to achieve some national press coverage for the tour but struggled for the resources to achieve this.
What you would do differently if you did it again
Use our marketing budget to employ a professional marketing freelancer from the outset to contribute to attracting bigger audiences and generating conversation around D/deaf and disabled LGBTQ+ experiences in media outlets.
Diversity
37% of audience members who filled out feedback forms identified as being limited a little or a lot by physical/mental health. 85% identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or preferred to self-describe. 21% stated they did not identify as male or female. 45% stated they are from a disadvantaged background. 38% were aged 30 or under and 16% were aged over 50. 19% identified as an ethnicity other than white.
The 9 panellists and performers who took part in the 3 events were all LGBTQ+ and disabled.
Knowledge & Experience
The FAN and Queer Film Network member organisations which took part in the tour, Wotever DIY Film Festival(London), Fringe! Queer Film and Arts Fest (London), Eyes Wide Open (Brighton), and Scottish Queer International Film Festival, all had a chance to enhance their knowledge and experience of putting on events accessible to D/deaf and disabled audiences.
What audiences said
"Thank you for being inclusive and giving me a lot to think about."
"Fascinating to hear voices usually left out of discussions of queer experiences."
What professionals, press and partners said
“The statement ‘Nothing about us without us’, rings true when it comes to representations of disabled people in film.
“Because of societal reasons, disabled people have rarely had the resources to create content and see themselves on screen.
“The age of ‘cripping up’, or non-disabled actors playing disabled characters is outdated and totally inappropriate.
“This is a very exciting, inclusive new era and I think it’s important now more than ever to encourage and support varied representations of disabled people on and behind the screen.”rnKyla Harris, artist