Driving disability inclusion through smartphone filmmaking

Imagine a red carpet, the buzz of excitement, and the joy of seeing your own story on the big screen. That was the magic of Pocket Cinema, Afford’s smartphone filmmaking project, which culminated in a spectacular red carpet screening event on International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

Sharing stories through film

With guidance from professional filmmakers, Afford community services clients learned to storyboard, shoot, and edit their own short films using just their smartphones. Pocket Cinema aims to break down barriers for people with disability in creative spaces. By providing the tools to tell their own stories, this program opens doors to new possibilities and even pathways in the film industry, visual arts, content creation, and podcasting.

This exciting program was made possible thanks to the support of our official partners SF3 SmartFone Flick Fest and Optus, as well as the collaborative guidance of Bus Stop Films.

Celebrating our filmmakers

The filmmakers showcased their incredible talents at a glitzy film screening at Afford’s Head Office on Tuesday, 3 December, in honour of IDPwD. The event delivered a true film festival experience, featuring a red carpet and cinema-style treats like popcorn, slushies, and a donut wall. The filmmakers were cheered on by an enthusiastic audience, creating an unforgettable celebration of inclusion and creativity.

“We had fun when we used our smartphones to film. The best part was brainstorming and putting different ideas in our diaries,” said Thomas Watson, one of the Pocket Cinema filmmakers.

Thomas played multiple roles in the program, both in front of and behind the camera. The first short film to make a public debut from the program is Crash Course, a V8 supercars mockumentary created by Thomas and his co-star Asad.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to catch the premiere of more amazing Pocket Cinema films!

Big storytelling dreams

Smartphone filmmaking is just the beginning. We are already exploring more opportunities for storytelling, advocacy, and connection. These initiatives aim to create meaningful experiences that empower people with disability to share their voices and talents with the world.

Get involved

If you would like to find out more about services and programs at Afford, contact our Support Centre team on 1800 233 673 or visit afford.com.au.