Screenability at Sydney Film Festival

The 64th Sydney Film Festival is more than just whirlwind premieres, red-carpet openings and international guests for Sydneysiders to indulge in. There is also an incredibly important and enlightening program of films showcasing the works of filmmakers with a disability.

“Screenability is an international program showcasing films by filmmakers with a disability from France, New Zealand, Australia and the UK. These titles offer gripping insights and unique perspectives, with creatives with a disability leading the narrative,” said Sydney Film Festival’s Screenability Programmer Sofya Gollan.

The program will showcase six cutting edge films across a range of genres. The films included are My Name is Emily, Pulse, documentary Lust for Sight, and short films Drumming is Like Thunder, Struck, and Milky Pop Kid.

Sofya talked us through the exciting elements of the films by saying, “The stories range from the viewpoint of an artist losing his most vital sense, to the experience of a queer teen with a disability in a body-swapping sci-fi, and a tale of teenage love told by a filmmaker immobilised by motor neurone disease. These films, made by those with lived experience of disability, are boldly breathing new life into storytelling.”

Screenability at the Sydney Film Festival is part of a suite of initiatives by Screen NSW designed to boost the participation of underrepresented groups in the screen industry. The Festival has also expanded its access and inclusion policy, introducing audio described and open captioned screenings, and a relaxed screening (My Life as a Zucchini) to complement the Festival’s program – which includes over 90 English subtitled films.

Jun 14-17, Various screening times. FREE-$19.90+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sff.org.au