Picture this... Film FestivalPersonal Testimonies and Anecdotes |
|
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for inviting us to participate in this years Picture This Festival. Your work is important to the disability community as well as the general public. Since we made an action feature film with a female hero who uses a wheelchair, we are breaking new ground. Therefore, it is important for us to get exposure to the public. The fact that you have continued to spread the word about our film and the www.goldpictures.com website is very much appreciated. Keep up the great work. Thanks again,
|
|
I received the Beta copy of "Through Riley's Eyes". Thanks again. I'll keep my eyes open for other work that would be appropriate for your festival and possible Grants etc and forward them your info. Thanks again for the opportunity to screen and share Richard Burdells story. Wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2002. Cheers again
|
|
I personally felt that the premise of the festival was great. The idea of celebrating disabilities instead of pittying them is wonderful and so positive, I was happy to be a part of that, even in our small part. Educating our society is the best way to diminsh stereotypes. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of the 1st Annual Picture this .... Festival. We look forward to being a part of the 2nd Annual festival. Erin L. Poier
|
|
The Picture this.. festival is hugely uplifting to the disabled film-making community - to see their work showcased professionally, talked about and enjoyed by audiences is enormously energising to film-makers who usually have to struggle to get their work noticed. It is also a boost to the wider disabled community at large - to know that disabled talent is being recognised and rewarded is very important for self-esteem and pride in the community. For broadcasters that have commissioned programmes about disability and/or made by disabled people, an international festival is important because it means the work will be noticed beyond their regular audiences. Disability on mainstream channels is often missed or ignored by viewers and press alike. It is fantastic to win a prize and know that a show that you have been closely associated with has been praised and has touched people or changed their perceptions or taught them something new about disability. The power of "word of mouth" recommendation should never be underestimated - it is great to know that people 6000 miles away are talking about a programme we produced or commissioned! The Picture this... festival is especially important because it is so wide ranging in scope and subject, and because it is such a positive celebration of disabled talent and disability culture, history and experience. The festival was very well organised, effectively promoted and there was an excellent brochure. For a first time event it was outstanding. Long may it continue! Alison Walsh, Disability
Advisor,
|
|
A big thank you for sending over the awards - they are great, we're absolutely delighted to have them. Richard McKerrow (my boss and Commissioning Editor for disability/deaf programming) has just snatched two of them from my desk so that he can display them in his office! I have just circulated a memo to the Director of Programmes, Head of Scheduling etc, to make sure everyone knows about the awards and the festival. I look forward to submitting new material for next year's festival. The programme and catalogue of entries for the festival looks really really impressive. You managed to attract a fantastic range of films, and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to be there to enjoy the screenings. All in all you and your team pulled off a brilliant first festival, and you have created a really important event in the calendar for the disabled film world. I wish you all success in keeping up the momentum for next year. I'll keep an eye on the website. Many thanks and look forward to speaking to you again, Best regards, Alison Walsh
|
|
I was so excited to learn about the Picture This film festival! As the parent of a teenager with a disability and a public speaker on disability issues, I know how very, very important it is to promote positive images of people with disabilities. The Picture This film festival is able to showcase state-of-the-art videos on new ways of thinking about individuals with disabilities and, in the process, help change attitudes and perceptions! Kathie Snow
|
|
It was great having my film being part of your festival. Not all festivals want to show a film that deals with such a subject. I also feel the importance of a festival that celebrates the diversity and most of all recognizes the need to acknowledge the handicapped in culture/arts/every day life. Although a strong believer that the subject belongs in all festivals, to have one festival that actually celebrates the life style of the disability community is another. Thanks for the opportunity, Mathieu Derouin
|
|
I am writing to express my appreciation for the "Picture This Festival." The festival provides an important venue to exhibit and celebrate film/video work by and about people with disabilities. As a filmmaker I appreciate festivals like yours that are content driven because they give an opportunity for work which might not be accepted to an open-ended film festival. Festivals like yours also provide a place where people who are interested in a topic like disability culture can see important motion picture work. I daresay that many who attended your festival may have not attended a film ferstival before -- that's fantastic. I appreciate the enormous effort it takes to put on a festival like this. Congratulations to you and all involved in this very important and new film festival. Sincerely, Anthony Tenczar
|
|
As disabled people we remain largely invisible, grossly under or mis-represented in most media. A festival like Picture This provides a showcase for work by and or about disability "from the inside out". This kind of festival affords an opportunity for disabled film and video makers to have their work viewed and critiqued, a vital part of the artistic development process. I strongly urge support for this important and worthy venture. Sincerely, Cheryl Marie Wade
|