The winners of this year’s Oska Bright Film Festival, which celebrates and promotes films made by people with learning disabilities, were announced at a ceremony at the Corn Exchange, Brighton on Tuesday, November 19.
Awards were given to six short films selected from a range of entries from Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Ireland and all over the UK.
The event, which was kicked off with a special appearance by the Carousel Singers, who had written The Oska Bright Song for the occasion, was compered by Sarah Watson and Matthew Hellett, who were assisted by other members of the Oska Bright team who announced the categories.
Winners, who each received an award made by artist Andy Kee, included:
• Best Special Effects: EYE TV by James Kurtze from Adelaide, Australia.
• Best Animation: TOMBOY, by Stuart Maiden at Shining Star Films, Totnes, Devon.
• “Our Story” Award: TIMESLIP by The Oyster Project, Lewes.
• Funniest Film: IT’S ALRIGHT, I’M AWESOME by Luc Eisenbarth, Brighton.
• Most Original Film: QUEEN by Station 17, Germany.
• Festival Favourite: UH UH UH, by Station 17, Germany.
Colin Hambrook from Disability Arts Online, said: “What these films do so effectively is to give a platform for a broad range of concerns in the lives of a community who are undoubtedly the most unseen of all disabled people.
“The impact of giving a voice through film is a lifeline. Filled with humour, pathos, fun and beauty I am always taken aback by the selection Oska Bright choose.
“For me it is the quirkiness of the subject matter and the techniques employed that above all else that open a window to the soul.”
The award winning films are selected by the Oska Bright Committee of learning-disabled film makers and artists. The event is managed and presented by the Committee, with support from Carousel’s Volunteer Training Programme team and Carousel staff.
Oska Bright is a joint project with Junk TV.
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