Vision Australia Radio is thrilled to announce our continued partnership with the Focus on Ability (FOA) Film Festival for 2024. This marks our second consecutive year of collaborating with the festival, underscoring our commitment to enhancing accessibility for Australia's blind, low vision, and print disability community through our national disability radio network.
“Our partnership is a significant benefit for both our radio network and our cherished listeners,” says Jason Gipps, Community Engagement Coordinator at Vision Australia Radio. “The Focus on Ability Film Festival has been a beacon of inspiration for nearly two decades, empowering the blind and low vision community, as well as those with diverse disabilities, to share their unique experiences through film. It’s an honour to support this transformative event.”
Presented by NOVA Employment, the Focus on Ability™ Short Film Festival celebrates its 16th year, inviting filmmakers from around the globe to highlight the abilities of people with disabilities through the compelling medium of film. Last year, the festival achieved a remarkable milestone with 310 finalists from 17 countries, and the 2024 edition is set to be even more extraordinary. The festival’s generous sponsors, contributing over $100,000 in cash and prizes, and in-kind supporters like Vision Australia Radio, play a crucial role in making this possible.
The festival invites filmmakers to create short films or documentaries under 5 minutes, centered around disability themes or featuring individuals with disabilities as main actors. Submissions for this year’s festival are now closed.
Founded in 2009 by NOVA Employment CEO Martin Wren, the festival emerged from a deep belief in the potential of people with disabilities. Wren’s vision was to use film to challenge stereotypes and showcase the diverse talents of individuals with disabilities on a global stage.
With the steadfast support of industry icon Paula Duncan, renowned for her contributions to Australian film and television, NOVA Employment has tirelessly championed this cause, ensuring the festival's success.
The Focus on Ability Film Festival is open to filmmakers of all experience levels, and many first-time entrants have won top awards. Past films have not only educated audiences but also moved them profoundly, challenging preconceptions and promoting inclusion.
Reaching an audience of over 1.5 million and growing, the festival provides exceptional exposure for emerging filmmakers and a powerful platform for individuals with disabilities to share their stories. Films are judged by a distinguished panel and also subjected to online voting, with awards given across various categories.
Stay tuned to Vision Australia Radio for updates, reviews, and interviews with festival organizers and filmmakers. Don’t forget to subscribe to ‘Vision Australia Radio Interview Highlights’ on your favorite podcast platform to catch all our exciting content.
