SAFC goes Full Tilt for filmmakers with disabilities

The South Australian Film Corporation recently announced a new initiative aimed at including content makers with disability under the banner of Full Tilt.

It includes paid production attachments and a documentary strand with SBS.

Gaelle Mellis, who has served as Creative Director of Access2Arts SA, and as Vice Chair of Arts Access Australia, becomes SAFC Disability Strategy Executive.

SAFC Disability Strategy Executive Gaelle Mellis said “For too long our stories have been told by others and non-disabled actors continue to win awards for ‘cripping up’. This has to stop. We want to tell our own stories and see ourselves represented authentically. Disability is a normal part of life. Disabled people can shed light on different aspects of the lived human experience with our stories adding to the richness and diversity of our cultural landscape.”

Courtney Gibson, CEO of the South Australian Film Corporation said “Delivering Diversity is all about removing barriers to careers in the screen sector for a wide range of under-represented voices. SAFC is committed to working with industry to deliver positive change and enrich our working environments, to grow the industry and audiences alike.”

Seven drama Wanted is the first production to employ a Full Tilt attachment with emerging cinematographer Paul Vagnarelli, who is profoundly Deaf, working as a camera attachment.

Vagnarelli is a graduate of Adelaide College of the Arts, Adelaide City TAFE with an Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media and has worked as a Gaffer’s Assistant (Lighting Department) on a number of local film productions but his dream is to work in the fields of cinematography and lighting. Wanted is his first experience on set of a major television production.

Paul Vagnarelli said, “This experience is invaluable in the development of my skills which will help my future cinematography goals.”

Wanted Producer Tom Hoffie said “If Paul’s significant contribution to the set of Wanted is any indication, then the Full Tilt initiative is sure to be an important driver to greater inclusion and diversity in our industry. We congratulate the SAFC for the initiative and would encourage upcoming productions to support Full Tilt.”

Entries are also open for three stand-alone short screen works by South Australian filmmakers to screen on SBS On Demand in 2019.

SBS Director of TV and Online Content, Marshall Heald, said: “The new Short-Form Content Initiative further strengthens SBS’s commitment to growing diversity in the screen sector, encourages greater collaboration with screen agencies to support the local creative industry and ultimately, will influence how we tell stories on screen.”

Submissions close August 13.