Griffith University’s Film School has extended its partnership with Bus Stop Films to deliver an Accessible Films Studies program at the university’s Gold Coast campus.
The Accessible Film Studies program is aimed at older teenagers and adults living with an intellectual disability.
Led by filmmakers and industry experts, it gives students exclusive opportunities to visit production companies, work with professional filmmakers, learn both theoretical and practical approaches, and create films.
Originally pairing up to offer the course in Brisbane in 2021, the arrangement has already led to valuable interactions between Bus Stop and Griffith students, as well as creative education pathways for people with a disability and employment of local creatives.
Director of Griffith Film School’s LiveLab, Associate Professor Richard Fabb, said relationship was a prime example of Griffith’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, collaboration through the arts, and creating a better future for all.
“Bus Stop Films is a very dynamic charity doing great work in the inclusive filmmaking space,” he said.
“Our partnership has added significant value to the film school experience for all participants and we’re excited to extend this opportunity to our Gold Coast campus.
“We’ve had our students work on Bus Stop films, their students have attached to our LiveLab projects, and everyone’s learned a lot along the way.”
Deepening the relationship even further, Griffith alumnus and lecturer, and tutor at Bus Stop Films Martha Goddard has developed a new special elective subject for Griffith Film School students.
Having already run a voluntary trial version for interested students, the Inclusive Filmmaking course will be offered for credit points in trimester three this year.
“Inclusivity and inclusive filmmaking is going to be increasingly more important within the industry,” Miss Goddard said.
“For many of our students in the voluntary trial, it was their first experience of inclusive filmmaking and they all reported it was a really valuable experience, and the Bus Stop students get so excited when they get to act or attend workshops in the studio space or in the cinema, as well as just being in that university environment.
“Working with Bus Stop, I have learned so much as a filmmaker, as a tutor, as a human, working with a group of filmmakers with such a different way of seeing the world, and their experience and mode of communication.
“It’s a very, very joyous space.”
Bus Stop’s Accessible Film Studies Program is open to people aged 17 and over living with mild to moderate intellectual disability or autism.
Interested participants are invited to attend free ‘taster workshops’ in coming months so they can get a feel for the program and the classroom space.
All events are free, but registration is essential.
Register your interest at:
Taster Workshop 1 Saturday 4 November 10:30am- 12:30pm
Taster Workshop 2 Saturday 18 November 10:30am-12:30pm
Taster Workshop 3 Saturday 2 December 10:30am – 12:30pm