Bus Stop Films Hits the Road for the Biggest Showcase Tour Yet

PRESS RELEASE

Eighteen inclusively made short films produced through Bus Stop Films’ Accessible Film Studies Program will tour nationally, kicking off with a gala event in Perth on Sunday December 3, hosted by Julia Hales, an acclaimed Perth actor who lives with Down syndrome.

The films were created by 180 filmmakers, all young adults with mild/moderate intellectual disability or autism. The participants in the Accessible Film Studies Program worked with their tutors to create short films alongside industry professionals who mentor the students on set.

The films include dramas, documentaries and comedies and even a WWE inspired rock musical. 

Bus Stop Films, winner of the 2023 SPA Award for Breakthrough Business of the Year, is a disability-led not for profit social enterprise which uses filmmaking and the film industry to raise the profile of people with disabilities, on both sides of the camera. Bus Stop makes films with, for and about people with disability and from diverse communities and backgrounds.

Bus Stop’s COO and resident producer Dianna La Grassa produced the films, together with co-producer Cyna Strachan and a team of 10 Inclusive Producers’ Attachments, who were supported by the state screen agencies Screen NSW, VicScreen, SAFC, Screen Tasmania, Screen Canberra, Screen Queensland and ScreenWest and by Screen Producers Australia.

The gala events bring #inclusivefilmmaking to the big screen and celebrate the creativity, passion and hard work of Bus Stop Films’ industry mentors, cast, crew and supporters. 

The series of accessible events kick off in Perth on International Day of People with Disability on Sunday December 3, with Brisbane on December 5, Launceston on December 6, Melbourne on December 7, Adelaide on December 12, Canberra on December 13 and Sydney on December 14. 

Hosts of the galas are Julia Hales in Perth, actor Anna McGahan in Brisbane, Love on the Spectrum star Ronan Soussa together with comedian Elle Dawe in Sydney, comedian and proud Ngarrindjeri woman Kimmie Lovegrove in Melbourne, body positivity advocate April Watson in Canberra, Mayor of Launceston Mathew Garwood, in Launceston and, in Adelaide, local actor Alirio Zavarce.

Bus Stop Films’ CEO, Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM, said: “I am so proud of our students, and I can’t wait to watch their films with our generous Bus Stop community. Our Showcase events always leave my heart bursting.” 

Bus Stop’s 2023 showcase tour is generously sponsored by Netflix and Woolworths Group. Additionally with the Brisbane showcase supported by a Screen Queensland Screen Culture Funding Program Grant and Sydney showcase supported by a Screen NSW Audience Development Funding Program Grant.

Woolworths Group Disability Inclusion Lead, Geoff Trappett, said: “As an organisation we value diversity in all its forms and what it can bring to our business, our customers and our communities. The fantastic work that Bus Stop films enables and is evidenced through this year’s films is an opportunity for us to consider the role we can play in taking a more inclusive approach to the work we do. We’re delighted to be a sponsor and we hope everyone enjoys the night.”

As pioneers of streaming, Netflix recognises the importance of representation on screen and the accessibility of the service. Through their Fund for Creative Equity, which is designed to support underrepresented groups and increase diversity in the industry, Netflix will support Bus Stop Films with sponsorship of the 2023 Showcase tour in addition to future employment of an intern as an attachment on an upcoming Netflix production in Australia.

All events start at 6.30pm sharp. 

All films are captioned and all events will be Auslan interpreted.

Tickets are $25 and $10 for concession and include refreshments.  Tickets available here: https://events.humanitix.com/tours/bus-stop-films-showcase-2023

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