Sunday Mail, 10 October 2020.
Still from James Kurtze film, 'Phone Home'.
Indaily, Wednesday, Oct 14, 2020
https://indaily.com.au/arts-and-culture/film/2020/10/14/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch-these-short-films/
Sit down, shut up and watch these short films
From quirky comedies and animation to thought-provoking docos, more than 40 international short films and new media works by filmmakers with a learning disability will be showcased from today in the Sit Down Shutup & Watch! festival.
Offering audiences the chance to see work from around the world by filmmakers who are often under-represented in the mainstream movie sector, the South Australian festival has been presented biennially since 2014.
Sit Down Shutup & Watch! (SDSW) usually holds a live screening event (last year it was in the Barossa Valley), but this year it will be mainly online due to COVID-19.
“We are excited by the potential world-wide audience, considering we have selected films from Canada, Luxembourg, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, USA, UK, and Australia,” says SDSW steering committee chair Lee Witczak.
Selected by the steering committee from more than 500 international entries, the 40 films will be presented through a program of free screenings on the SDSW website, Facebook and YouTube from October 14-25, with a Best of SDSW on the big screen at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas on October 25 as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, which opens tonight.
Organisers promise a line-up of documentaries, animation, dramas, comedies and experimental films that will “truly blow your mind, make you laugh, and take you on a journey”, including projects such as South Australia-made The Loop.
Winner of the best documentary prize at the Oxford Film Festival in the US, The Loop follows Lorcan Hopper, a first-time television director with Down syndrome, as he works to create a soap opera. Hopper and fellow South Australian Johanis Lyons-Reid co-directed the film, which was funded by SBS and the SA Film Corporation as part of the Full Tilt documentary initiative.
Other 2020 highlights are Fish Don’t Care When it Rains, in which Jennifer Msumba, an American artist with autism, demonstrates what the simple life of a fish can teach us about accepting our circumstances, and Phone Home, a new film made entirely at home under COVID-19 lockdown by South Australian filmmaker and visual artist James Kurtze, who works with a combination of live action, animation and “hyper” technology.
The program also includes a US film about a teen living in a post-apocalyptic world, a drama from Luxembourg about a young girl who thinks her dyslexia is a virus, a UK documentary looking at college life from the point of view of an autistic student, and a quirky silent melodrama by Whyalla’s Leap Takers.
“We are really thrilled to see the way learning disability filmmaking is expanding internationally, giving us so many films to choose from this year,” says Witczak.
Explaining the festival’s name, Witczak says it was suggested by one of the committee members when they first looked at branding the event.
“It just tickled everybody and we went with it.
“It’s an empowering thing. Instead of deciding what you think I’m capable of, sit down, shut up, watch, and learn.”
The selected films will go live at 10.30am today, tomorrow and Friday, and again on October 21, 22, 23 and 25, with each stream hosted by a SDSW committee member and offering the opportunity to chat live. They will then be available to screen on demand. See the festival website for the program.
The best of Sit Down Shutup and Watch! will screen at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas on October 25 as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, which opens tonight. Read more about this year’s AFF here.
-ends-
Johanis Lyons-Reid and Lorcan Hopper on set of, ‘The Loop’.
Arts Hub, SCREENHUB, Friday 16 October, 2020
https://www.artshub.com.au/news-article/news/film/screenhub/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch-opens-up-remarkable-points-of-view-261281
Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch! opens up remarkable points of view
Some of the best film projects around the world led by people with learning disability are running at the online and real SDSW Film Festival, curated from South Australia.
It's easy to talk diversity when we really mean cultural variety. It is a lot tougher when the discussion is around people with disabilities, who all too often are told to sit down, shut up and be thankful. There is huge rage behind that enforced idleness, the objectification and dismissal.
The Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film and New Media Festival has been running biennially since 2014, led by a group of South Australian creators with learning disability. Each time they come back the movement is stronger with more projects from a unique space, curated from around the world.
It is formally attached to the Adelaide Film Festival, which will run a Best of SDSW program on the last Sunday morning of the festival on 25 October.
For the rest of the world this is an online festival where the films are presented live by members of the steering committee, with a chance for live chat as well. From then on the films will be on-demand via the festival website, YouTube and Facebook.
It will play online from 10.30am Wednesdays to Fridays 14-25 October.
As the announcement says,
Alongside the 2020 festival, the SDSW Steering Committee will "soft launch" a new virtual reality project they have been working on, called Virtually Together, collaborating with one of Europe's leading VR practitioners BrightBlack UK. It is a "world build" where participants will be invited to contribute their ideas to what our Virtually Together world will look like, what you can do there, and more. Accessible via the web or your own VR headset, our first "session" will take place in week two of the Festival.
One of this year's festival highlights is The Loop. Co-direced by Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid and produced by Carl Kuddel, The Loop explores what it means to live with Down Syndrome. It follows Lorcan, a first time television director with Down Syndrome, as he works to fulfil his vision of creating a soap opera.
The Loop has been nominated for a swag of international awards and selected into multiple film festivals, the most recent nomination is the prestigious MIPCOM Diversity Awards in TV in the disability category, and last year won Best Documentary at the Oxford Film Festival (USA).
Another 2020 highlight is Jennifer Msumba's Fish Don't Care When it Rains, winner of Best Film in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge USA. In Fish Don't Care When it Rains, with humour and heart, autistic artist Jen Msumba demonstrates what the simple life of a fish can teach us about accepting our circumstances.
-ends-
Still from Jen Msumba’s film, ‘Fish Don’t Care When it Rains’.
Filmink, 16 October 2020
https://www.filmink.com.au/public-notice/sit-down-shutup-watch-learning-disability-led-film-festival-launches-online-14-oct/
Sit Down Shutup & Watch! Learning Disability Led Film Festival Launches Online 14 Oct!
South Australia’s own, international, learning disability led short film festival, Sit Down Shut Up & Watch! (SDSW) is bursting onto the world-wide web with screenings and live chats, launching a virtual reality ‘world build’, and a 'Best Of' screening at the Adelaide Film Festival.
Grab your morning tea and favourite device, Wednesdays to Fridays, 14-25 October at 10.30am, as it’s time to, Sit Down Shutup & Watch!
Screening over 40 of the best film and new media works by filmmakers with learning disability, the 2020 SDSW Festival is ready to roll out, Covid-safe, online, free to watch through the SDSW website, on Facebook or YouTube.
“We would usually have a big screening event in the regions. Last festival took place in Angaston in the Barossa Valley. Covid forced us to rethink our options, and the call was made to go online. We are excited by the potential world-wide audience, considering we have selected films from Canada, Luxembourg, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, USA, UK, and Australia!” says SDSW Steering Committee Chair, Lee Witczak.
One of this years’ festival highlights is, ‘The Loop’ Co-directed by Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid and produced by Carl Kuddel, The Loop explores what it means to live with Down Syndrome. It follows Lorcan, a first-time television director with Down Syndrome, as he works to fulfil his vision of creating a soap opera. The Loop has been nominated for a swag of international awards and selected into multiple film festivals, the most recent nomination is the prestigious MIPCOM Diversity Awards in TV in the disability category, and last year won Best Documentary at the Oxford Film Festival (USA).
Another 2020 highlight is, Jennifer Msumba’s, ‘Fish Don’t Care When it Rains’, winner of ‘Best Film’ in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, USA. In, Fish Don’t Care When it Rains, with humour and heart, autistic artist, Jen Msumba, demonstrates what the simple life of a fish can teach us about accepting our circumstances.
Sit Down Shutup and Watch Film & New Media Festival! showcases short films where a person with a learning disability is at the heart of the creative process. In 2020 over 500 international entries were received by the SDSW Steering Committee, vying for a chance to be a part of the Festival.
“We are really thrilled to see the way learning disability filmmaking is expanding internationally, giving us so many films to choose from this year.” says Lee Witczak.
Explaining the striking and memorable name of the Festival, Sit Down Shutup & Watch!, Lee says:
“We realised we had to start branding and one of our committee members suggested that. It just tickled everybody and we went with it. It’s an empowering thing. Instead of deciding what you think I’m capable of, sit down, shut up, watch, and learn.”
Established in 2014, the biennial, Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! is uniquely, 100% learning disability led, by the SDSW Steering Committee, made up of South Australian Filmmakers, Performers, and Visual Artists with learning disability.
The online live screenings will be presented by members of the SDSW Steering Committee and will have the opportunity for viewers to chat live. After each live session, the films will be available to view on demand via the SDSW Festival website, Facebook and YouTube.
Although the SDSW Festival predominantly screens online this year, Adelaide audiences have the chance to catch the ‘Best of SDSW’ on the big screen as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, Sunday 25 October, 10.30am at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
Alongside the 2020 Festival, the SDSW Steering Committee will ‘soft launch’ a new virtual reality project they have been working on, called Virtually Together, collaborating with one of Europe’s leading VR practitioners, BrightBlack UK. Virtually Together is a ‘world build’, where participants will be invited to contribute their ideas to what our Virtually Together world will look like, what you can do there, and more. Accessible via the web or on your own VR headset, our first ’session’ will take place in week two of the Festival.
The 2020 Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! is a chance to experience the work of a section of filmmakers often under-represented in the mainstream movie sector. Like all great cinema experiences, the new, exciting, authentic work on display this year, will truly blow your mind, make you laugh, and take you on a journey.
Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! plays live online from at 10.30am, Wednesdays to Fridays 14-25 October at www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
“Whether you’re into film making, or just like checking out something new, Sit Down Shut Up & Watch is a great initiative that is sure to provide a lot of entertainment.”
Weekend Notes
Listing details:
Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival!
14-25 October 2020 – Online at www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
Free
Online Festival Schedule:
Wed 14 Oct Day One: Opening Day – live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thur 15 Oct Day Two: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Fri 16 Oct Day Three: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Wed 21 Oct Day Four: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thur 22 Oct Day Five: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Fri 23 Oct Day Six: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Sun 25 Oct Day Seven: Best Of SDSW Screening at Adelaide Film Festival, Palace Nova Eastend Cinema – live at 10.30am (ACST) and SDSW Award Winners Announced.
View for free at: www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SitDownShutupandWatch/
Youtube: Sit Down Shutup and Watch
Best Of SDSW Screening at Adelaide Film Festival
When: 10.30am Sunday 25 October 2020
Where: Palace Nova Eastend Cinema, Rundle Street, Adelaide 5000
Tickets: $10-20
Book: https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/event/sit-down-and-shutup/
-ends-
Still from ‘Second Date’.
Goyder Regional News, 20 October 2020.
https://www.goyder.sa.gov.au/community/latest-news/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch
“People are only as disabled as their environment, so if we start to create a culture where it is acceptable for everybody to be able to create, then we are automatically adapting the culture to enable that to happen.”
-SDSW Chair, Lee Witczak
Welcome to the Sit Down Shutup and Watch Film & New Media Festival, Australia’s biggest learning disability led short film festival.
Over six days of online screenings, watch live with us at 10.30am (ACDT) Wednesday, Thursday & Friday till the 25th Oct, or watch on demand at your leisure.
-ends-
Lorcan Hopper, still from ‘The Loop’.
Play & Go, 11 October 2020
https://playandgo.com.au/sit-down-shutup-watch-learning-disability-led-film-festival-14-oct-2020/
Sit Down, Shutup and Watch! Film Festival
Sit Down Shutup & Watch! Film and New Media Festival (SDSW) will be launching online from 14 October, Wednesdays – Fridays (10:30am), till the 25 October 2020. Running concurrently to the Adelaide Film Festival, SDSW is a biennial, international festival of work by filmmakers with learning disability.
Screening over 40 of the best film and new media works by filmmakers with learning disability, the 2020 SDSW Festival is ready to roll out, COVID-safe, online, free to watch through the SDSW website, on Facebook or YouTube.
Sit Down Shutup and Watch Film & New Media Festival! showcases short films where a person with a learning disability is at the heart of the creative process. In 2020 over 500 international entries were received by the SDSW Steering Committee, vying for a chance to be a part of the Festival.
Established in 2014, the biennial, Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! is uniquely, 100% learning disability-led, by the SDSW Steering Committee, made up of South Australian Filmmakers, Performers, and Visual Artists with a learning disability.
The online live screenings will be presented by members of the SDSW Steering Committee and will have the opportunity for viewers to chat live. After each live session, the films will be available to view on demand via the SDSW Festival website, Facebook and YouTube.
Online Festival Schedule:
Wednesday 14 October Day One: Opening Day – live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thursday 15 October Day Two: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Friday 16 October Day Three: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Wednesday 21 October Day Four: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thursday 22 October Day Five: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Friday 23 October Day Six: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Sunday 25 October Day Seven: Best Of SDSW Screening at Adelaide Film Festival, Palace Nova Eastend Cinema – live at 10.30am (ACST) and SDSW Award Winners Announced.
Best of SDSW Screening:
When: 10.30am Sunday 25 October 2020
Although the SDSW Festival predominantly screens online this year, Adelaide audiences have the chance to catch the ‘Best of SDSW’ on the big screen as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, Sunday 25 October, 10:30am at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
Tickets: $10-20
Virtually Together:
Alongside the 2020 Festival, the SDSW Steering Committee will ‘soft launch’ a new virtual reality project they have been working on, called Virtually Together, collaborating with one of Europe’s leading VR practitioners, BrightBlack UK.
Virtually Together is a ‘world build’, where participants will be invited to contribute their ideas to what our Virtually Together world will look like, what you can do there, and more. Accessible via the web or on your own VR headset, the first ’session’ will take place in week two of the Festival.
-end-
Still from ‘Hyper Active’ by Corey Reeder.
Kids in Adelaide, 10 October 2020
https://kidsinadelaide.com.au/event/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch/2020-10-14/
Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch
October 14 @ 10:30 AM - October 16 @ 12:30 PM ACDT
Grab your morning tea and favourite device, Wednesdays to Fridays, 14-25 October at 10.30am, as it’s time to, Sit Down Shutup & Watch!
Screening over 40 of the best film and new media works by filmmakers with learning disability, the 2020 SDSW Festival is ready to roll out, Covid-safe, online, free to watch through the SDSW website, on Facebook or YouTube.
“We would usually have a big screening event in the regions. Last festival took place in Angaston in the Barossa Valley. Covid forced us to rethink our options, and the call was made to go online. We are excited by the potential world-wide audience, considering we have selected films from Canada, Luxembourg, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, USA, UK, and Australia!” says SDSW Steering Committee Chair, Lee Witczak.
One of this years’ festival highlights is, ‘The Loop’ Co-directed by Lorcan Hopper and Johanis Lyons-Reid and produced by Carl Kuddel, The Loop explores what it means to live with Down Syndrome. It follows Lorcan, a first-time television director with Down Syndrome, as he works to fulfil his vision of creating a soap opera. The Loop has been nominated for a swag of international awards and selected into multiple film festivals, the most recent nomination is the prestigious MIPCOM Diversity Awards in TV in the disability category, and last year won Best Documentary at the Oxford Film Festival (USA).
Another 2020 highlight is, Jennifer Msumba’s, ‘Fish Don’t Care When it Rains’, winner of ‘Best Film’ in the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, USA. In, Fish Don’t Care When it Rains, with humour and heart, autistic artist, Jen Msumba, demonstrates what the simple life of a fish can teach us about accepting our circumstances.
Sit Down Shutup and Watch Film & New Media Festival! showcases short films where a person with a learning disability is at the heart of the creative process. In 2020 over 500 international entries were received by the SDSW Steering Committee, vying for a chance to be a part of the Festival.
“We are really thrilled to see the way learning disability filmmaking is expanding internationally, giving us so many films to choose from this year.” says Lee Witczak.
Explaining the striking and memorable name of the Festival, Sit Down Shutup & Watch!, Lee says:
“We realised we had to start branding and one of our committee members suggested that. It just tickled everybody and we went with it. It’s an empowering thing. Instead of deciding what you think I’m capable of, sit down, shut up, watch, and learn.”
Established in 2014, the biennial, Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! is uniquely, 100% learning disability led, by the SDSW Steering Committee, made up of South Australian Filmmakers, Performers, and Visual Artists with learning disability.
The online live screenings will be presented by members of the SDSW Steering Committee and will have the opportunity for viewers to chat live. After each live session, the films will be available to view on demand via the SDSW Festival website, Facebook and YouTube.
Although the SDSW Festival predominantly screens online this year, Adelaide audiences have the chance to catch the ‘Best of SDSW’ on the big screen as part of the Adelaide Film Festival, Sunday 25 October, 10.30am at Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
Alongside the 2020 Festival, the SDSW Steering Committee will ‘soft launch’ a new virtual reality project they have been working on, called Virtually Together, collaborating with one of Europe’s leading VR practitioners, BrightBlack UK. Virtually Together is a ‘world build’, where participants will be invited to contribute their ideas to what our Virtually Together world will look like, what you can do there, and more. Accessible via the web or on your own VR headset, our first ‘session’ will take place in week two of the Festival.
The 2020 Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! is a chance to experience the work of a section of filmmakers often under-represented in the mainstream movie sector. Like all great cinema experiences, the new, exciting, authentic work on display this year, will truly blow your mind, make you laugh, and take you on a journey.
Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival! plays live online from at 10.30am, Wednesdays to Fridays 14-25 October at www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
“Whether you’re into film making, or just like checking out something new, Sit Down Shut Up & Watch is a great initiative that is sure to provide a lot of entertainment.”
Weekend Notes
Listing details:
Sit Down Shutup & Watch Film & New Media Festival!
14-25 October 2020 – Online at www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
Free
Online Festival Schedule:
Wed 14 Oct Day One: Opening Day – live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thur 15 Oct Day Two: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Fri 16 Oct Day Three: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Wed 21 Oct Day Four: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Thur 22 Oct Day Five: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Fri 23 Oct Day Six: live at 10.30am (ACST)
Sun 25 Oct Day Seven: Best Of SDSW Screening at Adelaide Film Festival, Palace Nova Eastend Cinema – live at 10.30am (ACST) and SDSW Award Winners Announced.
View for free at: www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SitDownShutupandWatch/
Youtube: Sit Down Shutup and Watch
Best Of SDSW Screening at Adelaide Film Festival
When: 10.30am Sunday 25 October 2020
Where: Palace Nova Eastend Cinema, Rundle Street, Adelaide 5000
Tickets: $10-20
Book: https://adelaidefilmfestival.org/event/sit-down-and-shutup/
Virtually Together – WATCH/BUILD/CHAT
Virtual Reality collaboration between the SDSW Committee and Brightblack UK
Join us online, pick your avatar and join the conversation on the world we want to build.
Access through: www.sitdownshutupandwatch.com
-ends-
Still from ‘Light and Dark’.
Festevez, 21 October 2020.
https://festevez.com/fests/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch-film-new-media-festival/
-ends-
SDSW Chair Lee Witczak and partner, John Witczak.
Radio Adelaide, POSTED ON: SUN 19 AUG 2018
https://radioadelaide.org.au/2018/08/19/lee-witczak-honoured-at-brain-injury-sa-awards/
LEE WITCZAK HONOURED AT BRAIN INJURY SA AWARDS
Brain Injury SA held its Awards for Service Excellence and Outstanding Achievement, to mark the beginning of Brain Injury Awareness Week.
Lee Witczak was the recipient of the Individual Achievement Award.
Lee works for Tutti Arts and is Chairperson for the Sit Down, Shutup and Watch Film and New Media Festival, the only disability-led film festival in the southern hemisphere, celebrating films and new media made by people with learning disability.
Lee speaks to Small Change’s Lisa Burns about her involvement in the disability arts sector, adjusting to living with her acquired brain injury and how her ABI has steered her towards a new life purpose.
Produced by Lisa Burns
-ends-
Radio Adelaide, 20 October 2018
https://radioadelaide.org.au/2018/10/20/sit-down-shut-up-and-watch/
ARTS AND CULTURE
SIT DOWN, SHUT UP AND WATCH!
The Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch! Film & New Media Festival is a fantastic opportunity for screen makers with learning disabilities to showcase their creativity. The event has run October 19th and the 20th, and the keynote speaker, leading Virtual Reality and Transmedia artist Simon Wilkinson, spoke to Rob about the event ahead of a special Best of the Fest presentation at the Adelaide Film Festival.
-ends-
Weekend Notes, 31 October 2016
https://www.weekendnotes.com/sit-down-shut-up-watch-film-festival/
Sit Down, Shutup and Watch, Film & New Media Festival
Review by Natasha Stewart
Sit Down, Shutup and Watch is an South Australian based film festival celebrating its first year in 2014. The festival was created to share creative works created by people with a learning disability. It's an opportunity for their works to reach a larger audience and get the recognition they deserve. The festival is being held at the Angaston Town Hall on the 31st of October.
The festival is split into three individual sessions, featuring short films that fall under a range of themes. You can purchase tickets to the individual sessions for $10 each, or you can purchase a two session ticket for $15 and all session tickets for $20. It makes the festival hugely affordable, whether you want to head to all sessions or just one. Companion card holders can book tickets for free as long as they bring along their companion card and area accompanied by a full-fee paying ticket holder.
Session 1, the festival opening, starts with six short films about relationships followed by the first 'films that make us think' and 'animation' sessions, and finally 'films that make us sing and dance'.
Session 2 features 'films and make us smile' and 'spooky stuff' as well as the second sessions of 'films that make us think' and 'animation'.
Session 3, the final session, features some international films with the Best of the Oska Bright Film Festival and a special screening of Israeli film 'A Reason to Stay'.
You can also purchase tickets to the red carpet event where filmmakers will receive awards in a range of different categories.
For more about the festival head to the Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch Facebook page or check out their website. Whether you're into film making, or just like checking out something new, Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch is a great initiative that is sure to provide a lot of entertainment. You can purchase tickets to all sessions or to the red carpet event online.
If you miss out on the festival there will be a 'Best of the Fest' screening in Adelaide on November 8th.
-ends-
IF Magazine, November 3, 2014
https://www.if.com.au/sit-down-shutup-and-watch-film-and-new-media-festival-winners/
Sit Down, Shutup and Watch Film and New Media festival winners
The 2014 Sit Down, Shutup and Watch Film & New Media Festival Award Winners were announced on Friday at the Red Carpet Awards Ceremony held in Angaston, Barossa Valley, celebrating and acknowledging the creativity and outstanding talents of filmmakers with a learning disability.
Winning films were selected from more than 40 films entered from around Australia and the globe. There were nine separate award categories: SA Film Corporation Most Original Film, Access2Arts Best Music Video, Arts Access Australia New Media and Video Art Award, Best Animation, Best Special Effects, Funniest Film, The Hive Award, Our Story and Best of the Festival. Finalists reflected the global interest in learning disability led filmmaking with films nominated from Germany, UK, Ireland and Israel as well as across Australia.
A formal welcome by Lee Witczak, Chairperson of the SDSW Festival Steering Committee kicked off proceedings. This was followed by an introduction from Councilor Margaret Harris from the Barossa Valley Council, and official opening address by Jennifer Layther, Director Presenting Programs, Organisations and Initiatives Arts SA. Angaston Town Hall played host to approximately 300 festival patrons throughout the day, with approximately 150 attending the Red Carpet Awards Presentation on Friday night.
“Our first SDSW festival has been a huge success and has exceeded our expectations. We say a big, big thank you to all who entered and to all who supported our vision to make this first festival a reality. After three years in planning we are thrilled with our achievements,” said Lee Witczak, Chairperson SDSW Steering Committee.
Mervyn Bradley’s The Sea Reminds Me was the first film to screen and went on to win the Best of Festival Award presented by SDSW Committee member Matthew Wauchope. The afternoon program included an International Showcase of films from the UK based Oska Bright Film Festival and a Filmmakers Forum. The Forum provided an opportunity for the audience to take part in an insightful discussion amongst learning disabled filmmakers, chaired by The Honorable, Kelly Vincent, Member of the Legislative Council.
SDSW Steering Committee members Lee Witczak, Samantha Charles and Ryan Thomas hosted the Red Carpet Awards Presentation that night. Nine Awards were presented to learning disability filmmakers by guest presenters who included The Honorable Kelly Vincent; Joost den Hartog, Director of the Australian International Documentary Conference; and The Honorable Tony Piccolo, SA Minister for Disability, representing The Honorable Jack Snelling, Minister for the Arts. Becky Llewellyn from Arts Access Australia who represented national disability organisation Arts Access Australia and SA’s Access2Arts, commented on South Australia’s vision in leading the sector to establish SDSW as the first learning disability film and new media festival in the Southern Hemisphere, thereby providing a strong platform for learning disabled artists perspectives and storytelling voices to be heard; her comments echoed those made by Arts SA’s Jennifer Layther at the festival opening.
A Best of Fest screening will take place this coming Saturday 8 November 2014 at Adelaide Studios including the 21 finalists plus a showcase of films from the UK’s 2013 Oska Bright Film Festival which was the inspiration for the SDSW Festival. The People’s Choice Award will be presented at the event to the film voted festival favourite by the public. Voting can be done via the SDSW website (below) or through voting cards available on the day.
FINALISTS AWARD WINNER
Best Awareness (Our Story)
A List of Things That Really Annoy Me – Beth Barnard, Wild@Heart Community Arts, Victoria, Australia
Time Slip – Dawn Fuller – Oyster Project, United Kingdom
The Strange Man – Zoe Laidlaw, Actors Ink, South Australia Time Slip – Dawn Fuller – Oyster Project, United Kingdom
Winner: Time Slip
Access2Arts Best Music Video Award Finalists:
The Finalists are:
Alles Fur Alles / Everything For Everyone – Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany
Love Is A Strange Game – Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany
Moon Country – Dream Theatre, Victoria, Australia
Where Have All The Penguins Gone? – Encounter Centre, South Australia Alles Fur Alles / Everything For Everyone – Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany
Winner:
Alles Fur Alles/ Everything for Everyone
Best Animation Award Finalists:
A List of Things That Really Annoy Me – Beth Barnard, Wild@Heart Community Arts, Victoria, Australia
Being Successful – Wild@Heart Community Arts
Café Chat – North Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT), Work Education Centre, Victoria, Australia
Penguin & Panda Love Story – Jane Hewitt, Tutti Arts, South Australia Café Chat – North Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT), Work Education Centre, Victoria, Australia
Winner: Cafe Chat
SA Film Corporation Most Original Film Award Finalists:
Alles Fur Alles / Everything For Everyone – Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany
Love Is A Strange Game – Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany
Our Story – William Gregory, Tutti Arts, South Australia Our Story – William Gregory, Tutti Arts, South Australia
Winner: Our Story
The Hive Award Finalists:
Arts Project Australia, Victoria, Australia
Encounter Centre, South Australia
North Melbourne Institute of Technology (NMIT) Work Education Centre, Victoria
Tutti Arts Incorporated, South Australia
Wild@Heart Community Arts, Victoria, Australia Wild@Heart Community Arts, Victoria, Australia
Winner:
Wild@Heart
Funniest Film Award Finalists:
Cow Story –Tutti Arts & Clare Film Group Workshop, South Australia
Next Factor – Caleb Rixon, Victoria, Australia
A Penguin & Panda Love Story – Jane Hewitt, Tutti Arts South Australia Next Factor – Caleb Rixon, Victoria, Australia
Winner: Next Factor
Best Special Effects Award Finalists
Eye TV – James Kurtze, Tutti Arts, South Australia
Geister (Ghosts) –David Nenninger/Barner 16, Hamburg Germany
Lisa’s Story – Lisa Reid, Arts Project Australia, Victoria Eye TV – James Kurtze, Tutti Arts, South Australia
Winner: Eye TV
Arts Access Australia Best New Media / Video Art Award Finalists:
Dexter Aliens – James Kurtze, Tutti Arts, South Australia
Geister (Ghosts) –David Nenninger/Barner 16, Hamburg, Germany Dexter Aliens – James Kurtze, Tutti Arts, South Australia
Winner: Dexter Aliens
Best of Festival Finalists:
Joe & Sarah – AbleVision, Ireland
The Sea Reminds Me – Ray Jacobs, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Time Slip – Dawn Fuller/Oyster Project, Ireland The Sea Reminds Me – Ray Jacobs, Shropshire, United Kingdom
Winner: The Sea Reminds Me
-ends-
Renmark women Anita Tippl (left) and Kerry Warner participated in the workshop.(ABC Riverland: Catherine Heuzenroeder)
ABC News, By Catherine Heuzenroeder, Thursday 19 MayMay 2016 at 5:32pm
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-19/film-festival-sit-down-shut-up-and-watch-nurtures-future-stars/7429960
Film festival Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch nurturing future stars with learning disabilities
Anita Tippl contorts her face into a look of horror while the camera zooms in for an extreme close up.
If the shot makes the final cut, it could be the 25-year-old Renmark woman's moment to shine at the Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch Film and New Media Festival.
The South Australian festival features the work of people with learning disabilities and became the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere when it was first screened in 2014.
A keen photographer, Ms Tipple was surprised to find she also enjoyed being in front of the camera.
"Being in the wheelchair, to position yourself is pretty tricky, but everyone's had wonderful patience," Ms Tippl said.
"During this workshop I've found being in front of the camera when doing films is fun.
"I learnt about what the green screen can do to make water scenes and that you don't have to go out to the place; but it feels a bit strange when you're looking at a screen instead of being somewhere."
Film maker James Kurtze worked on storyboarding with the workshop participants.(ABC Riverland: Catherine Heuzenroeder)
Learning to create content for social media
Ms Tippl is one of nine participants at the film workshop being held in Renmark this week by the Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch committee with the support of Tutti Arts, an SA organisation for artists with disabilities.
The four-day workshop is the first in a series of regional workshops being delivered in the lead-up to this year's festival in the Angaston Town Hall on Friday, October 21.
Fellow participant Kerry Warner combined her imagination with her love of horror movies to put her own stamp on the script writing process.
"These spooky parts, the horror part of it," she said with a laugh of her own contribution.
Ms Warner volunteers at a nursing home and was keen to learn to develop content to share on social media.
"I want to learn how to film properly, and put it on to Facebook properly, I love Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram," she said.
'They have a voice and an even playing field'
Watching participants become engaged in the process of film making is what motivates Sit Down, Shut Up and Watch steering committee chairperson Lee Witczak.
"Their eyes light up about day three of our workshops; it's an empowering thing for people," she said.
She said the festival was an important medium for people with learning disabilities.
"I think what is important is that people, regardless of where their creativity lies, have a voice and an even playing field," Ms Witczak said.
"In this particular instance, they have the opportunity to make films, have them shown and create a community around that, as non-disabled people do."
Her own involvement in the festival came after she suffered a series of strokes that left her struggling with a brain injury.
Branding festival with memorable name
Steering committee members and workshop facilitators Matthew Wauchope and Lee Witczak.(ABC Riverland: Catherine Heuzenroeder)
Ms Witczak agreed the name of the festival was definitely memorable.
"We realised we had to start branding and one of our committee members suggested that. It just tickled everybody and we went with it," she said.
"It's an empowering thing. Instead of deciding what you think I'm capable of, sit down, shut up, watch, and learn."
If the budding filmmakers at this week's workshop are happy with their finished product, they may elect to screen their short film at the festival.
While professional equipment is used to create the workshop film, participants are encouraged to use whatever they have at hand, including smart phones and tablets, to continue their filmmaking journey.
"We want [them] to leave the workshop with a film that they are proud of, that they have made," workshop facilitator and steering committee member Mathew Wauchope said.
"We want to leave them with all the skills they need to make a new film."
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