Birds Eye View Protest Video
In March 2005, the UK's first major women's film festival was launched. As the festival pointed out, it's appalling that only 7% of feature film directors are female, yet the festival's bid for inclusion only extended to some women. The venue for the closing night bash was booked into the step-filled Cafè de Paris and filmmaker and disabled woman Liz Crow, whose film screened as part of the festival earlier the same day, was excluded.
When the festival refused to change venue, a group of disabled filmmakers and artists decided to hold a very public party of our own on the pavement right outside the CafÈ de Paris. We set out to protest the festival's error and draw attention to the discrimination ingrained throughout the film sector.
In the run-up to the festival, messages of solidarity poured in from six different countries from individuals and organisations including Channel Four, National Union of Journalists, BECTU and The Writers Guild.
During an evening of getting the message out - to press, passersby and official guests - filmmaker C Wright shot a film. C Wright has dyspraxia and is a member of DANDA - The Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Assosiation.
The video of the event can currently be watched online. There are three versions of the film, standard version, Audio Described Version and a Subtitled Version. You can watch the videos now by clicking on one of the links below. You need Windows Media Player to watch these films.
Standard Version:
Running time 8 mins 30 secs approx.
Standard High Quality 14mb for fastest broadband connection.
Standard Medium Quality 6mb for medium broadband connection.
Standard Low Quality 3mb for dialup users.
Subtitled Version:
There can only be a one subtitled version. If the video is less than High Quality the subtitles become too distorted. Running time 8 mins 30 secs approx.
Subtitled High Quality 13mb for fastest broadband connection.
Audio Described:
Running time 8 mins 30 secs approx.
AD High Quality 15mb for fastest broadband connection.
AD Medium Quality 9mb for medium broadband connection.
Links:
Liz Crow's website www.roaring-girl.com
Disability Film Yahoo group http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/disabilityfilm/
DANDA - The Developmental Adult Neuro-Diversity Association www.danda.org.uk
EtCetera Newsletter foud at www.ndaf.org/menue.html
DANmail, The Direct Action Network yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/danmail/
London Disability Arts Forum (LDAF) www.ldaf.org
With special thanks to VET Broadbandlab for technical support, advice and training. www.broadbandlab.org.uk/