Page 17 - Community Living Issue 31-3

3000 LiVes camPaiGN

Clockwise from top left: the taboo-breaking Sanctuary; Swedish black comedy Man Without
Direction starred Pelle Öhlund, Gunilla Ericsson and Dennis Nilsson, and was directed by Johannes
Stjärne Nilsson, Pelle Öhlund and Nina Jemth; the cast of Sanctuary; Matthew Hellett and Becky
Bruzas; Oska Bright Young People’s Award winners

organisations ensures that Oska Bright normalise people with disabilities.
helps generate new films and new It’s a shame an editor didn’t call “cut” at
audiences at each festival. times as the film was overstretched and
Thursday evening’s films were grouped became repetitive, which robbed it of
under the headings Dreams and Window impact, despite the strong performances
Into Our World. Twenty-five shorts spread from a mixed disability cast.
over four hours is quite a marathon, but the In contrast, Like A Star, which followed
individuality of the film makers’ visions and Italian actor Tiziano on a trip to Texas, was Sarah Watson exhibited new visual
stories maintained attention throughout. succinct and powerful, bringing out all the artwork on the theme of Wonderland.
From a rich field, I particularly enjoyed nuances of Tiziano’s character and his This diversity of activity meant the festival
the autobiographical Celeste; she may be experience in this unfamiliar place. appealed to lots of different people and
obsessed with soap opera stars but is a TV you could dip in and out of the main
natural herself. Germany’s Barner 16 a woodland wander space between screenings.
collective were award winners in 2015, and Throughout the festival, an installation by Friday night saw the awards party, which
their music videos never disappoint; Speed Arty Party, Four Solos in the Wild, gave celebrated the achievements of winners
and Hatch, shown in the Dreams screenings, visitors the chance to wander through a and runners-up in different categories.
were highly imaginative and catchy. woodland grove and watch haunting For me, the Oska Bright team were the
Aqui Possible, from Spain, starts dance films. stars of the festival. Steered by Bruzas and
wonderfully. It’s about Enrike, who has Several screening sessions had Hellett, the event was totally owned by
Down’s syndrome and lives independently aftershow chats with the film-makers and those who introduced screenings, led the
in a block of flats. He makes friends with a short radio play was performed by the talks and engaged with audiences.
his neighbour and together they plan a Carousel radio team. In a nearby venue, This kind of peer-led festival is surely
Man Without Direction: Johan Bävman; Matthew Hellett, Becky Bruzas: Lighthouse; festival images: Paul Mansfield
game-changing advertising campaign to Carousel artists William Hanekom and the best advocate for learning disability
films and film-makers. The international
reach of Oska Bright is a game-changer for
the industry. As Kennedy puts it: “I do not
claim to be an ambassador or be the sole
representative of a specific community –
I’m just someone who’s passionate about
the work they’re doing and putting their
own voice to it and, as for the future, this
conversation or movement is just getting
started and we’re not going away anytime
soon.” n
● The next Oska Bright Film Festival is in
2019. Submissions are invited. See www.
carousel.org.uk/oska-bright-film-festival

Winners and presenters Wild by Arty Party, presented by Jon Swahn (Sweden) presented by Lily Van
Best story: The Mask, by Sharif Persaud, Linstrum, Arts Council England Den Broecke, British Film Institute
Project Art Works, presented by script Best Performance: Elyse Marinelli in young People’s award: Monster Party by
editor Kate Leys Checkout, presented by actor Nicholas Babington, Sherborne and Oakwood
Best documentary: Life on Two Pinnock Schools, presented by Mo Marsh, Mayor
Spectrums by elizabeth Valentina, Best International Film: Man Without of Brighton and Hove (above)
presented by Catharine Des Forges, Direction (Sweden) presented by Mark Outstanding Contribution to Cinema
Independent Cinema Office Tainton, Adult Swim award: Matthew Kennedy, presented by
Best choreography: Four Solos in the Best Animation: The Odd Funeral by Felix film director Debs Paterson

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 3 | Spring 2018 17