{"id":207455,"date":"2025-01-29T12:44:44","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T11:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/?p=207455"},"modified":"2025-01-30T10:11:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T09:11:06","slug":"blog-iffr-pro-welcomes-disabled-filmmakers-delegation-from-the-bfi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iffr.com\/en\/blog-iffr-pro-welcomes-disabled-filmmakers-delegation-from-the-bfi","title":{"rendered":"IFFR Pro welcomes Disabled filmmakers delegation from the BFI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With IFFR 2025 getting underway, we are excited to welcome, for the first time, a delegation of Disabled film professionals to IFFR Pro. A collaboration between IFFR and the BFI Inclusion team, the initiative aims to create accessible opportunities for Disabled film professionals to expand their international networks and forge new creative and financial partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The delegation at IFFR: Cristi\u00e1n Saavedra, Anna Keeley, Sarah Leigh and Ella Glendining<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Supported by the BFI International Fund \u2013 backed by National Lottery funding \u2013 this programme is designed to support UK-based Disabled talent in developing their creative and professional growth. It also reflects IFFR\u2019s ongoing commitment to supporting diverse voices and fostering connections across the global film industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1 to 5 February, Ella Glendining, Anna Keeley, Sarah Leigh and Cristi\u00e1n Saavedra will join IFFR Pro 2025<\/a>. They will participate in CineMart<\/a>, our co-production market, as well as talent development initiatives<\/a> and attend the Pro Hub<\/a> 2025 programme, which features industry discussions, workshops and mentoring meetings. Alongside this, they\u2019ll enjoy access to our extensive festival programme<\/a> and enjoy many networking opportunities \u2013 whether through structured meetings or chance encounters in the bustling festival environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure a seamless experience, the selected participants will be accompanied by members of the BFI Inclusion team and an external access coordinator, who will assist with travel, coordination and accessibility needs. The BFI will also accommodate selected participants to bring their personal assistants where required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThis visit also gives us an opportunity to knowledge-share with our peer colleagues as we strive to improve inclusion for our own event in Rotterdam and in the wider international film industry\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIFFR Pro is especially thrilled to welcome this delegation of filmmakers from the UK to participate in the wide range of professional opportunities we present. We recognise the BFI\u2019s leadership in changing the dial on inclusion for film production and for film festivals \u2013 especially in their commitment to breaking down structural barriers for disabled filmmakers. This visit also gives us an opportunity to knowledge-share with our peer colleagues as we strive to improve inclusion for our own event in Rotterdam and in the wider international film industry,\u201d says Marten Rabarts, Head of IFFR Pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe look forward to supporting Ella, Anna, Cristi\u00e1n and Sarah, four brilliant filmmakers, so they can make the most of the fantastic opportunities offered by IFFR Pro\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are excited to work in collaboration with the BFI International Fund to create more equitable opportunities for UK-based Disabled filmmakers to enter the international film market, and have found great partnership with the IFFR team. We look forward to supporting Ella, Anna, Cristi\u00e1n and Sarah, four brilliant filmmakers, so they can make the most of the fantastic opportunities offered by IFFR Pro,\u201d says Bhavini Goyate, Inclusion Manager at the BFI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet the delegation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ella Glendining <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ella Glendining is writer\/director\/actor dedicated to telling authentic disabled stories. In 2024 Ella received a BAFTA nomination for her feature documentary Is There Anybody Out There? <\/strong>and has been nominated for two Scottish BAFTAs. She was a recipient of the BFI & Chanel Filmmaker Award 2023, celebrating \u2018creative audacity\u2019, and was named a BAFTA Breakthrough 2023. Ella is writing a historical drama, with Development Funding from the BFI, called Curiosities of Fools<\/strong>, and is adapting her short Pyramid of Disunion <\/strong>into a feature with BBC Film. Ella is also Access Coordinator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anna Keeley <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anna is an emerging producer and a Production and Development Executive at Escape Plan, where she was recently Production Exec on Love Lies Bleeding <\/strong>(A24\/Film4) directed by Rose Glass. She is developing her debut feature to produce for Escape Plan, an English-French language psychological thriller by Liam White, Punchdrunk<\/strong>, which is set in Marseilles and will be a UK-French co-production. She\u2019s also leading Escape Plan\u2019s move into international co-productions, speaking several languages including fluent Spanish. Previously, Anna worked in Mexico City at production company Agencia Bengala (I\u2019m No Longer Here, Northern Skies Over Empty Space<\/strong>) and produced the world\u2019s largest international student film festival, Watersprite. She has an upper limb disability and chronic pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Leigh <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sarah Leigh is an RTS-award winning filmmaker and founder of Inclusivity Films, a company committed to at least 50% of cast and crew identifying as d\/Deaf, disabled and\/or neurodivergent on every production. Sarah\u2019s films and screenplays have been selected at Oscar, BAFTA and BIFA qualifying festivals, and her screenplay Call It Out <\/strong>was a finalist in this year\u2019s IMDb Script to Screen competition. Sarah\u2019s advocacy work includes developing Healthcare Passports with the NHS and campaigning for Changing Places toilets. She is on the EDI Advisory Group of Creative UK, and was a WFTV mentee in 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cristi\u00e1n Saavedra <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cristi\u00e1n Saavedra is a Chilean filmmaker based in Wales, with an eclectic background in journalism, music and television. He captures compelling stories that blend pop culture with inclusive messages, drawing from his experiences as a sight-impaired filmmaker. His work explores how artists with disabilities can ignite a powerful movement of authenticity and self-expression. With the support of Ffilm Cymru, he is currently developing his first feature film, which delves into the fascinating life of the iconic \u201890s pop star, Scatman John.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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