employment
2017 Focusonability
winners with Martin Wren
(centre of photograph).
In focus
from film makers in every state and
territory as well as likeminded folk
around the world. In fact, this year
the festival attracted entries from
Changing attitudes is a slow and difficult task, writes Martin
Wren, Chief Executive Officer of NOVA Employment.
I
With thanks to very generous
sponsors, the prize pool is now
would say that you can’t change can enter and there only two rules; more than $175,000, making
people’s attitudes until you reach firstly, the film must be less than five ‘Focusonability’ one of the world’s
their hearts, and for the meaning minutes long and secondly, it must richest film competitions, with prizes
of heart I’ll turn to Wikipedia; “truth, showcase the ability or achievements including a car, cash and perhaps
conscience or moral courage”. of people with disability. most appealing to would-be film
When it comes to changing
Perhaps the most pleasing part
makers, professional training in Los
attitudes toward employment of of involvement with the festival has Angeles and, for foreign film makers,
people with disability, I had thought been to see the insight and courage training with TAFTA in Sydney.
that NOVA could do so, ‘one great of young film makers tackling some job at a time’. This still rings true, of the more challenging aspects of great films for yourself, Google
but 10 years ago I decided to tackle living with disability. ‘Focusonability‘ and ‘I’m Marcus’, or
things another way: How would it
Issues of sexuality, gender
If you would like to see some
‘Focusonability’ and ‘Family First’,
be if I could engage with people identity, relationships, mental health, through the use of short film and suicide, depression and specific digital media? disability information are dealt with the Focusonability program is
with sympathetically, providing real changing attitudes across Australia
the achievements and ability insight into the challenges people and exporting Australian culture and
of people with disability – and with disability face and the triumphs values on disability around the world.
‘Focusonability’ was born. they achieve.
I designed a festival to celebrate
The idea caught the imagination
54
26 countries!
In the previous decade, entries
and make sure you have tissues!
Participation and involvement
Winners were announced last
month in Sydney – stay tuned for a
of people with and without disability have grown from a dozen to 297 this full report in the next edition of Link.
– there are no restrictions on who year, with the 2018 entries coming in www.focusonability.com.au
employment
linkonline.com.au