Together! 2017 Disability Film Festival Programme

Click on the programme links below to find links to the films that remain freely available online.

8-10 December 2017, Old Town Hall, Stratford London E15 4BQ. Running times: 6-8pm Friday; 12-8pm Saturday & Sunday.

All screenings are FREE & ‘relaxed’. Live audio-description is available on demand. Most films are captioned, in BSL or have no language — see inside for details. The venue has step-free access and informal seating. If you can’t join us in person, use the links in this programme to watch many of the films free online.

FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER 2017
6pm: FEATURE Kills on Wheels + The Mobile Stripper.

SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2017
12pm: TRANSATLANTIC VIBRATIONS Tactile film brings together Québec and East London.
2pm: CELEBRATING YOUNG FILMMAKERS Discover Oskar Bright.
2.45pm: Animate! Best of new UK animation.
3.15pm: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PEOPLE FOCUS ON AFRICA.
5pm: Short Dramas from the UK, US & France.
6pm: FEATURE A Paradise Too Far / Y’est où le paradis?.

SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER 2017
12pm: Artists Films & Videos Films by and about Deaf and Disabled artists from the UK.
1.45pm: DIFFERENT VOICES
Short Documentaries from the UK.
2.30pm:
 DISABILITY HISTORY MONTH Deaf Victorians.
3.15pm: DANCE! Documentaries and Dance Films
5pm:
COMEDY HOUR  Deaf Funny.
6pm: FEATURE British Winters.


DETAILED PROGRAMME

FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER 2017 [evening programmes are suitable for age 15+ with parental guidance]

EVENING FEATURE Kills on Wheels. Atilla Till. Hungary. 2016. 1:47:00. A highly original, darkly comedic and infectious Hungarian buddy-movie starring disabled actors about a wheelchair-using gang of assassins. This special free ‘relaxed’ screening with unlimited space for wheelchair users takes place ahead of the DVD release in January 2018. In this inventive, action-packed coming-of-age story of friendship, loyalty and revenge, Hungarian director Attila Till skilfully blends reality with fantasy as he offers a gentle probe into the lives of protagonists living on the edge of society and desirous of things which non-disabled people take for granted. Attila Till says: “It was crucial to me to make a movie about disabled people where they finally aren’t played by actors but get the opportunity to act themselves and be the real heroes.”

 In Hungarian with English captions; voice-over service available on request. https://youtu.be/d0eVHpSCLds (trailer). https://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/montage/kills-wheels (DVD sales site). With thanks to Eureka Entertainment.

PLUS

The Mobile Stripper. Shirlyn Wong. USA. 2014. 14:00. European Premiere. On what seems to be a normal and routine day, a lonely security guard discovers a bouncing bright pink RV in the parking lot. What begins as an innocent gesture and friendly ride to the gas station soon develops into an unforeseen adventure with a wild mouth woman known as the Mobile Stripper. In English (no captions). https://vimeo.com/116630225 (trailer)


SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER 2017

Saturday 12pm TRANSATLANTIC VIBRATIONS Connecting East London & Québec through Film & Digital Art. Introducing Together! 2012 CIC’s 2-year international project using tactile technology to enhance the audience’s experience of sound and film, in partnership with Concordia University’s Mobile Media Lab in Montreal. Includes UK & Canadian screenings, a Q&A session & a practical demonstration of ‘vibraseating’. With BSL interpretation. Refreshments provided. Presented as part of the UK: Québec Connections programme, funded by the British Council.

Screenings include:

Eurêka!, David B. Ricard and Menka Nagrani, Canada, 2016, 15:25m. European Premiere. In this unique dance film a community of people with Down Syndrome is living in the ruins of former fairgrounds. They find a mechanical doll, played by the only non-disabled artist of the troupe, and manipulate her into a circus number. The film questions social norms and reverses power relations existing in our society today. 

Maigwenn et les Orteils: Avec pas d’coeur – Extraits. Maigwenn Desbois. 2016. European Premiere. 12:12. Extracts from a dance performance at Studio Hydro Québec du Monument National by Maigwenn et les Orteils/Maigwenn and the Toes. Available to watch free online at: https://vimeo.com/168853938

c’est tombé dans l’oreille d’une Sourde / It fell on Deaf ears. Véro Leduc. 2016. European Premiere. 16.10. A graphic novel about Deaf life in Montreal. In Québec Sign Language with English captions. Available to watch free online at: https://vimeo.com/channels/bdlsq


Saturday 1.45pm BREAK


Saturday 2pm CELEBRATING YOUNG FILMMAKERS: DISCOVER OSKAR BRIGHT Short films by emerging filmmakers with learning difficulties from the UK, Canada and the Netherlands, curated by the 2017 Oskar Bright Film Festival. All films are in English.

Aarg! is screened in the Discover Oskar Bright programme on Saturday at 2pm.

Aargh! Manny Banerjee. UK. 2017. 5:50. A horror film about a mother and child who do not know what to do in a haunted house from first-time director Manny Banerjee.

Brahim’s Slapstick. Brahim Bouriche. The Netherlands. 2:52. Brahim loves slapstick. He sees fun in everything that happens, especially when things go wrong and people fall, bump, make mistakes or throw cakes. He made this film together with Kijkduin Media in Amsterdam.

Bruce. Beacon Hill Arts. UK. 3:02. This film is part of the Hidden Histories series created for the Newcastle Castle in England. It tells the tale of Mary Bruce, sister of Robert King of Scots, who was captured and imprisoned in a castle.

Cup of Tea. Beacon Hill Sixth Form. UK. 1:10. Who will win the race to ask Maureen if she wants a cup of tea? This film was made as part of Into Film’s See It Make It programme.

Monster Party. Learners from Baginton Fields School, Sherborne Fields School and Oakwood Secondary School. UK. 6:29. A music video inspired by Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’. Three friends go to a fancy dress Halloween party and discover that the party goers are actually real vampires and ghosts. Can they escape with their lives?

One in a Million. The Freewheelers Youth Theatre. UK. 10:29. Working for inspiration with Chris Wood’s song “One in a Million”, The Freewheelers Youth Theatre present this film interpretation of the story of Billy who works in Bateman’s Fish and Chip Shop and his secret desire for Peggy Sue the shop owner’s daughter.

Transitions: A rap by 7B. UK. 1:53. A rap about the move from a mainstream primary school to a special education needs secondary school. This is a huge change for class 7B: smaller class sizes, new friends and new teachers, but some of the changes will be exciting ones.

The Gruntles. Sophie Boiling, Ellis Ashe, Jack Cameron Bruce, Emily Skipp & Charlie Nicholson. UK. 6:39. A dark comedy about a strange family that run a junk shop. The Gruntles are lazy and cheap and they don’t like customers, but one day a peculiar customer comes to the shop and everything changes…

The Lisels. Beacon Hill Arts. UK. 2:47. This film is part of the Hidden Histories series created for the Newcastle Castle in England. It tells the tale of the notorious Lisle brothers from Northumberland.

Union Boss. Mathieu Dutaud. Canada. 4: 52. The Union Boss runs the Honeypot Factory in an iron grip. Who will stop him?


Saturday 2:45pm ANIMATE! The best of new animation from the UK & Ireland.

The Toilet is screened as part of the Animate! programme on Saturday at 2.45pm.

The Toilet. David Moore in collaboration with the Around the Toilet project. UK. 2017. 4:16. London Premiere. This quirky animation weaves together personal accounts from trans, Disabled and Muslim people, who share the trials and tribulations of accessing and using public toilets in a society where some are made to feel welcome and others are not. In English with English captions. Project website: aroundthetoilet.com

Life Outside the Box. Corina Duyn. Ireland. 2016. 4:20. UK Premiere. ‘Life Outside the Box’ is the result of an eight-month puppet-making project, facilitated by Corina Duyn with fellow members of the Irish Wheelchair Association at Dungarvan Resource Centre (IWA) and filmed by Bootleg Studios. “We are living with a disability, and with the help of our puppets, we stepped out of Society’s Disability Box.” Funded through Create/Arts Council of Ireland’s Artist in the Community scheme. In English with English captions. Available free online at https://vimeo.com/195458970

Animation is my alter-ego. Natalie Priest. UK. 2017. 1:21. London Premiere. Animation helps me to express myself in a way I find challenging with spoken word.’ Animator Natalie Priest contemplates her hopes to make her auto-biographical film on selective mutism while also raising awareness for the cause through animation. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. Project website: http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Anything but me!. Jeff Johns. UK. 2017. 02:38m. London Premiere. An animated rhythmic expression of identity. An experimental expression of the inner thoughts and emotions of writer/director Jeff Johns, combining innovative filmmaking techniques and spoken word. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Outside In. Jessie Currie. UK. 2017. 0:38. London Premiere. A visual poem exploring how Neuro Divergent people experience living in a Neuro Typical world. Reflecting on the experiences of neurodiverse people in today’s society, writer director Jessie Currie beautifully juxtaposes the voices with striking black and white videos of nature. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. Project website: http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Imagination. Jemima Hughes. UK. 2016. 3:38. Imagination is a lively, colourful cutout animation inspired by Matisse. The disabled protagonist escapes from a grey street to an exhibition where artworks interact with her, bringing movement and colour to her world. Music reflects her emotions and a poem spoken on an electronic communication aid communicates passion for art and animation and the power of creativity to transform and enrich life. In English with English captions. Available free online at: http://randomacts.channel4.com/post/149327322436/first-acts-jemima-hughes-imagination-a


The Unknown is screened at 3.15pm on Saturday as part of Focus on Africa for International Day of Disabled People.

Saturday 3.15pm INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PEOPLE: FOCUS ON AFRICA

My Right to a Future. Bruna Martini. UK. 2017. 12: 43. Festival Premiere. This documentary from the disability rights organization ADD International contains interviews from disabled children, their parents, community members, school teachers, government officials and disability activists about the barriers that disabled school students face in Tanzania. In Tanzanian with English captions; voice-over service available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbFFaON_igQ&t=1s (trailer).

Lisilojulikana (The Unknown). Aggie Nyagari. UK/Kenya. 70:00. London Premiere. Grace has cerebral palsy, and when her father dies and she is sent to live with an aunt in another village people think she has a curse. Will it ever be possible to win acceptance? Purple Field Productions presents this drama in association with Kenyan partners in order to increase understanding and to support individuals and families living with cerebral palsy. In Kenyan with English captions; voice-over service available. Available free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-dgWLwIROY


Saturday 4.45pm BREAK


Saturday 5pm SHORT DRAMAS From the UK, US & France

Noix Rouge. Patrick Gablin. France. 2017. 13:18. UK Premiere. As soon as he leaves the circus tent, Gaspard paces up and down the hospital corridors to bring happiness and laughter to sick children. But one day, Gaspard gets sick and stops smiling. Paul is a young man with disabilities who met Gaspard as a child, when everybody thought he had next to no chance of surviving. Maybe he is the one who can now bring a smile back on Gaspard’s face. In French with English captions; voice-over service available. https://vimeo.com/211482168 (trailer)

Newt’s journey to protect the lost treasure. Kristian Baxter. UK. 2017. 6:06. London Premiere. A lost boy finds treasure and must protect it at all costs… This adventure-drama tells the story of Newt an ‘unadoptable’boy’ with special powers who is considered the boy of legend, while also tackling the subject of child fostering. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. Project website: http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Moviegoer. Stuart Quinn. UK. 2017. 2:26. A poignant study on how noise pollution affects us, and how an Art space such as a cinema can offer respite from everyday urban city life. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. Project website: http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Whitney’s Wedding. John Lawson. USA. 2017. 6:29. A bride gets cold feet when she starts to think her fiancé is not normal. In English with English captions. Available free online at: https://vimeo.com/218696947

Signs of an Affair. Louis Neethling. UK. 2017. 27:42. Written by and starring Jean St Clair, this black comedy follows Flora, determined to find out the truth when her husband of many years suddenly stops taking sugar in his tea. Available free online at: http://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/signs-affair/ In BSL with English captions; voice-over service available.


Saturday 6pm [evening programmes are suitable for age 15+]

A Paradise Too Far is screened on Saturday at 6pm.

EVENING FEATURE A Paradise Too Far (Y’est où le paradis?). Denis Langlois. Canada. 2017. 90:00. European Premiere. Upon learning of their mother’s death, Samuel and Émilie, two siblings with learning difficulties, run away from their group home in Northern Quebec in the middle of winter. They try to reach Matchi Manitou, the fishing and hunting paradise where Émilie is convinced their mother went. As they go deeper and deeper into the forest, their relationship is put to the test. The story is inspired by the filmmaker’s own family experiences. Presented as part of the UK: Québec Connections programme, funded by the British Council. In French with English captions; voice-over service available on request.


SUNDAY10DECEMBER2017

Sunday 12pm ARTISTS FILMS & VIDEOS Films by and about Deaf & Disabled artists from the UK

Love. The Awkward Truth. UK. 2015. 10:05. Capturing what love feels like. In English: no captions. Available to watch free online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIwiVIMJcdA

All The Things We Could Have Been. Ade Marsh. UK. 2017. 24:05. London Premiere. A video record/evaluation/ celebration of the Permission To Perform Workshop series ‘All The things We Could Have Been’ as Part of The Why? Festival curated by Robin Surgeoner aka Angryfish. It brings to screen the immersion of a collection of Disabled and Diverse artists into the re-construction of a devised omnibus edition of the original one man show ‘All The Things We Could Have Been’, written and performed by Angryfish. In English: no captions. Available to watch free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhJ7cbUzNSg&feature=youtu.be

Creative Flow. Chris Rose. UK. 2017. 05:48. London Premiere. Where do stories and ideas come from? A personal look at what makes an artist tick starring Obe The Guinea Pig. A biggerhouse film production for 104 Films. In English with English captions. Project website: http://www.biggerhousefilm.co.uk/differentvoices

Zoltan vs The Devil. Declan Leslie. UK. 2015. 3:02. World Premiere. Born out of a genuine love of all things wrestling and with a sly nod to the cinematic classic ‘Raging Bull’, Director, Declan Leslie crafted this unique short film – written, acted, directed and edited all in one day! Bringing the age old tale of the David vs Goliath into the modern age. No speech. Available to watch free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pn0h-GU7Hw

Friend In Spirit. Ros Gihan Williams. UK. 2017. 3:50. Film about believing in yourself and finding your own unique way to reach your goal. Performer: Mikko Karhu. No speech. Available to watch free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iijnUPKb9n0

Date Prayer. Mike Nicholls. UK. 2017. 4:14. Film about living your life in your own unique way and being a Deaf person with mental health difficulties seeking a soulmate. Performer: Mikko Karhu. No speech. Available to watch free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4K_YDJnrGk

A Snail’s Tail, Teresa Garratty, UK, 2017, 4:31m. World Premiere. A short experimental and purely visual story of a snail’s plight to make it through the winter. No speech. Available to watch free online at https://vimeo.com/216758233.

Life Stories: Alex Duguid. Gareth Deighan. UK. 2017. 27:44. Festival Premiere. The story of Alex Duguid, a Deaf man who has worked in TV, storytelling and teaching BSL/Deaf awareness for many years, with no plans to retire! Alex takes us on a tour of the area where he grew up in South Shields, his school in Boston Spa, and the home of his favourite football team, Sunderland AFC. We also find out more about where he’s worked, including on a very famous TV set! Produced for BSLBT by SignPost. In BSL with English captions; voice-over service available. Available to watch free online at: http://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/life-stories-alex-duguid/


Sunday 1.45pm DIFFERENT VOICES Short Documentaries from the UK

Disability and New Horizons. Martyn Sibley. UK. 2013. 15:43. Martyn Sibley took a huge leap to live and volunteer abroad in Spain. Having Spinal Muscular Atrophy means he requires specialist equipment and personal care assistance. During his time in Asturias he used his passion of digital activism to raise awareness of accessibility. Watch how the Aviles towns people rallied around the cause, even engaging local politicians and the media! In English and Spanish with English sub-titles. Available to watch free online at: https://youtu.be/iXaBejV7PYg

Who Are We Now? Headway East London Film and Video Club. UK. 2017. 5.00. World Premiere. Who Are We Now? is a question that many brain injury survivors ask themselves after going through such a life-changing episode. The survivors featured in this project, both in front of and behind the camera, have all grappled with this dilemma — this film is their response. In English with English captions. Available to watch free online at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L85KpnK2ci8

Making Headway. Luke Farreley. UK. 2017. 10:21. London Premiere. A group of researchers with brain injuries explore the history of Headway Cambridgeshire, a charity set up to support people affected by brain injury. The group explore how legislation was changed and how this impacted on the treatment of those with a brain injury. While completing the project, the group reflect on some of the challenges they experienced as researchers and how the way we treat people with a brain injury has changed. In English with English captions. Available to watch free online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMbYDNlJkaI.

Road Safety. Kylie Chambers. UK. 2017. 07:01. Festival Premiere. Made in collaboration with Spare Tyre, United Friends and participants with learning difficulties. Over a fun ten weeks of workshops on the theme of Protest, the group developed this film in response to the lack of road safety in the area of Beehive Lane, Redbridge. In English with English captions.

Independent. Jessica Konzon. UK. 2017. 7:24. Festival Premiere. Made in collaboration with Spare Tyre, United Friends and participants with learning difficulties. Over a fun ten weeks of workshops on the theme of Protest, the group developed this film about being independent. In English with English captions.



Sunday 2.30pm DISABILITY HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL SCREENING

Deaf Victorians is screened on Sunday at 2.30pm

Deaf Victorians. Norma McGilp. UK. 2017. 28:00. Festival Premiere. In the 1870s, the centre for the Deaf community in London was St Saviour’s Deaf Church, which was more than just a place of worship. We learn about the lives of Charles Webb Moore, Jane Elizabeth Groom and Skirving Thomson; three very different people who were all connected via the church. Features input from experts and one of the Deaf Victorians’ present day family members, together with dramatic inserts. A Deaf Heritage and Nextshoot co-production. In BSL with English captions; voice-over service available. Available to watch free online at: http://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/deaf-victorians/


Sunday 3pm BREAK


Sunday 3.15pm DANCE! Documentaries and Dance Films from the UK, New Zealand & Tahiti

Switch & Shift screens in the Dance! programme on Sunday at 3.15pm.

Porcelain. Roswitha Chesher. UK. 2017. 5:20. A table, two chairs, some teacups….. a lifetime together…. Porcelain. Choreographer/dance artist: Stella Howard.

Switch & Shift. Porcelain. Roswitha Chesher. UK. 2017. 5:06. Framing a life of friendship and change, a dance of two. Choreographer/dance artist: Stella Howard

I Speak. Joel Morrison. UK. 2017. 12:23. World Premiere. When Joel Morrison emerged from a coma following a stroke nine years ago, he had completely lost the ability to speak. He had to learn to sound letters again from scratch. His moving and beautiful film interweaves dance and therapy to explore poetically his journey back to language. In English with English captions. Available to watch free online at: https://vimeo.com/218129037

Flipped – My body stopped to let me remember. Romola Lang. New Zealand. 2016. 5:13m. UK Premiere. At 19 years of age Renee Ball’s life flipped on its head.
Midway through a Bachelor of Dance Studies she contracted Guillain-Barré Syndrome, paralysing her completely within a few days. Initially unable to even communicate, Renee spent the next five years rehabilitating and embracing her new normal through her abiding love of dance. Available to watch free online at: https://vimeo.com/164196905

Drumming is Like Thunder. Alyx Duncan. New Zealand. 2015. 3:31. UK Premiere. This film starring talented performer Duncan Armstrong showcases one human’s showmanship and determination to defy bullying behaviour and his dream to perform in major cities around the globe. In collaboration with Wellington Integrated Dance and Touch Compass company dancers. Available to watch free online; https://vimeo.com/130494114

Mr & Mrs Jones. Alyx Duncan. New Zealand. 2014. 2:58. UK Premiere. This compelling short film, starring Lusi Faiva, is a moving tribute – in all senses of the word – to two very special people: Lusi’s foster parents. Mr and Mrs Jones cared for Lusi and gave her the gift of language and the skills to communicate when she was very young. Available to watch free online at: https://vimeo.com/131154293

Alors on dans screens in the Dance! programme on Sunday at 3.15pm.

Alors on Danse (Let us Dance). Jacques Navarro-Rovira. French Polynesia (France). 56:00. UK Premiere. Two contemporary dancers arrive in Tahiti to conduct a dance master-classes for disabled people for 3 weeks. After their departure, a young contemporary choreographer from Tahiti and a young Polynesian dancer take over and put on an inclusive show that mixes contemporary dance and Polynesian dance. In French with English captions; a voice-over service is available on request. https://vimeo.com/185418459 (trailer)


Sunday 4.45pm COMEDY HOUR: Deaf Funny. Charlie Swinbourne. UK. 2017. 56:00. Deaf Funny, the world’s first BSL TV comedy sketch show, was written and directed by Charlie Swinbourne, working with Juggle Productions, for BSLBT. Based on Deaf life and all the things that happen to Deaf people, Deaf Funny stars Adam Bassett, Fifi Garfield, Ben Rufus Green, Nadeem Islam, Matt Kirby, Sue Mitchell, Deepa Shastri, John Smith, Jean St Clair and Rebecca-Anne Withey in many different guises. In BSL with English captions; voice-over service available on request. Available to watch free online at: http://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/deaf-funny-1/ and http://www.bslzone.co.uk/watch/deaf-funny-2/


Sunday 5.30pm BREAK


Sunday 6pm [evening programmes are suitable for age 15+ with parental guidance]

British Winters closes the festival at 6pm on Sunday 10 December 2017.

EVENING FEATURE British Winters. Andrew Turner and Roque Cameselle. Wales. 2016. 1:48. London Premiere. In English with English captions and BSL.

A debut film from North Wales, British Winters is the gripping story of one man’s struggle with life and his place in the world. Procrastinator Noel Winters may be surrounded by friends and family but he’s lonely, disenchanted and, frankly, lazy. Disillusioned with himself as much as the outside world, he draws inspiration from his younger adopted sister, Hannah, who becomes a beacon of hope in a world Noel finds increasingly challenging. Forced to confront his life and everyone in it, Noel finally makes a life-­changing decision. But will it be the right one? Created at TAPE Community Music and Film, British Winters is a must-­see feature film with a powerful message. A community­ based project, British Winters was made possible thanks to a team of volunteer actors and artists who have all brought Noel’s story to life. https://vimeo.com/199638926 (trailer)

See you in Stratford, or join in online!