Is there anyone there? Director Ella Glendinning is among a delegation of disabled filmmakers that the British Film Institute is set to send to this year's International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
The full lineup also includes Executive Director of Production and Development Anna Kelly (Love lies bleeding), Inclusivity Films founder Sarah Lee, and Chilean-born, Wales-based director Cristian Saavedra. The quartet will participate in IFFR Pro's CineMart co-production forum and talent development initiatives and attend the Pro Hub for industry discussions, workshops and mentoring meetings.
The BFI said the trip is supported by the BFI International Fund and is the first time it has focused solely on talent with disabilities at a festival or market. BFI and IFFR teams have collaborated to prioritize access for filmmakers.
“We are excited to work collaboratively with the BFI International Fund to create more equitable opportunities for UK-based filmmakers with disabilities to enter the international film market, and have found a fantastic partnership with the IFFR team,” BFI Director of Inclusion Bhavini Goyat said in a statement.
“We look forward to supporting Ella, Anna, Christian and Sarah, our four amazing filmmakers, so they can make the most of the fantastic opportunities that IFFR Pro has to offer.”
Martin Raparts, Chairman of IFFR Pro, added: “IFFR Pro is particularly pleased to welcome this delegation of filmmakers from the UK to take part in the wide range of professional opportunities we offer. We recognize the BFI's leadership in changing the standards of inclusion for film production and film festivals – particularly in their commitment to breaking down structural barriers for disabled filmmakers. This visit also gives us an opportunity to exchange knowledge with our colleagues as we strive to improve inclusion at our event in Rotterdam and in the international film industry more broadly.
The Rotterdam International Film Festival takes place from January 30 to February 9.
