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Post-event round up

Identity through the lens of disability: Business Disability Forum Film Festival 2019! 

Tags:
Business,
Events,
Film,
Learning,
London,
Technology

By Ebunola Adenipekun, Business Disability Forum

Anticipation was high before this June’s Business Disability Forum’s Film Festival – and the day didn’t disappoint!

This year the question that would spur the film entrants on was:

“Identity through the lens of disability, what does this mean to you?”

Noeleen Crowley far left, Diane Lightfoot left. Oliver Kent right, Neil Shanlin right and Lucy Ruck. There is also a BSL interpreter

Noeleen Crowley far left, Diane Lightfoot left. Oliver Kent right, Neil Shanlin right and Lucy Ruck

Entrants had 10 days to complete this film challenge and the resulting ones were judged from the world of advertising, film and TV, professional services and disability: Oliver Kent, a former BBC producer, Neil Shanlin, Creative Director/Creative at AMV BBDO, Noeleen Cowley, Partner, Banking Operations and Customers at KPMG and Diane Lightfoot, CEO, Business Disability Forum.

Popcorn and candy floss

Popcorn and candy floss

Popcorn and candy floss was consumed in abundance as the winners were announced at this year’s festival hosted by KPMG and prize donors reached far and wide from companies such as Amazon, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Shell, 1stAveMachine and Flare Studios.

Prizes at this year's festival

Prizes at this year’s festival

Our highly commended films were awarded to: ‘Don’t give up’ – Magdalena Stahrova (Unique) and ‘The Only Way’ by Valentina Catenacci, both winning prizes of an Amazon Firestick and £50 Amazon vouchers donated by Amazon.

Highly commended Magdalena Stahrova, a camera man is ataking the photo of her with accompanying guests

Highly commended Magdalena Stahrova (right) with accompanying guests

Third place was awarded to the creators of the film ‘No Guesses Found’, entered by team ELK Medium (Georgie Cubin and Jane Leggat), exploring how dyslexia affects people differently, and highlighting that there is no universal experience of disability. They won two Amazon echo dots, two firesticks, as well as Amazon vouchers donated by Amazon.

Second place was awarded to the team JRZ (John Ford, Ritesh Vara and Zoe Norgrove) who entered with the film ‘Four’. The film explores the world from the perspective of someone with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They won three days’ work experience opportunity with Flare Studio, a drone, £50 Amazon vouchers from Amazon and three HD firesticks.

And *drumroll please*…

First place winning entry ‘Same Difference’ was created by Samuel Ash and William Horsefield (also known as team Wolfpack). ‘Same Difference’ is based on their experiences of deafness. They won three days’ work experience with film production company 1stAveMachine, GoPro HERO Action Camera, donated by Shell, drone, as well as £100 Amazon vouchers donated by Enterprise Rent -a- car and £50 Amazon vouchers donated by Amazon.

Winners Samuel Ash (left) and William Horsefield (right) holding their awards, There are film props behind them.

Winners Samuel Ash (left) and William Horsefield (right)

“Now”, “powerful”, “fun” and “human” were some of the words used to describe some of the films on the day.

Neil Shanlin said: “I was impressed with the overall level of work. Every single story was one that was worth telling and I saw respect for me as the viewer. The films were a great representation of what it is to be in Britain today.”

After the films were watched, the crowd enjoyed networking (taking photos alongside the hypersized film props) and delicious canapés, talking about the impact the films had on them. Film Festival goers were also able to enjoy an exhibition of photographic work by Helen Light and Laurie Glees, two students from Morley College, London.

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Film props

The standard of the films continue to grow higher every festival – we really look forward to seeing you next year!

People are talking to each other at Business Disability Forum's Film Festival 2019

Networking at Business Disability Forum’s Film Festival 2019

 

View all the finalists’ films in one place – here!

View our press release here!

To find out more about our events, go to https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/networking-and-events/

Tags:
Business,
Events,
Film,
Learning,
London,
Technology

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