As queer communities strive to embrace intersectional politics, those with a disability or functional diversity are often left behind. Despite the higher prevalence of disability among LGBTIQA+ communities, disabled, D/deaf, visually impaired, learning disabled and/or chronically ill queers are often excluded from queer spaces and queer screens. More recently, a growing body of work is redressing this balance and bringing previously invisible stories to the forefront of the conversation.
This programme presents an exciting selection of performative work by functionally diverse filmmakers exploring the intersections of queerness and disability. From beautifully-rendered tales of forbidden love to how to get jiggy in (accessible) bathrooms, this collection of hilarious, agonising, erotic, tender and sexy shorts represents an unashamed claim to beauty, desire, autonomy and, above all, visibility.
FILM PROGRAMME
Films runtime: 81min
Just Me
Dir. Matthew Kennedy | 2014 UK | 2’54
Fresh, frank and low-fi, Matthew Kennedy’s performance of selfhood tackles labelling and prejudice towards queerness, being femme, and having a learning disability.
Venus
Dir. Faye Carr-Wilson | 2016 UK | 5’41
“I think of my drag as kind of a big Fuck You to everyone,” says the incandescent Venus Dimilo in this forthright documentary portrait about taking up the space you deserve.
Funny GIrl
Dir. Rosina Andreaou | 2017 UK | 6’10
Exploring the on and offstage comedy of Rosie Jones, this documentary questions stereotypes about disability, sexuality, and being a Northerner.
Faggot girl gets busy in the bathroom
Dir. Krissy Mahan | 2016 USA | 3’39
Mahan’s disability-rights campaigning, alter-ego butch dyke genderqueer superhero Faggot Girl relentlessly crusades for greater accessibility, arguing that access is a queer issue. In this episode they demonstrate why public bathrooms are a crucial frontier in the fight for equality, and how hot sex and accessibility principles share common ground.
Bars
Dir. Christine Bylund | 2013 Sweden| 8’14
The bittersweet story of love between two girls in a Swedish residential home for young people with disabilities, this performed monologue is brimming with sensuality as it questions who is allowed to love.
Rick
Dir. Jan-Peter Horstmann | 2017 Germany| 15’33
Ricco Müller was crowned Mr Gay Switzerland in 2009 and now finds a home under the bright lights of the adult film set as Rick Lous, coming into himself away from the limitations that society has tried to put on him as a gay, D/deaf person.
Sins Inval
id: An Unashamed Claim to Beauty
Dir. Patty Berne | 2013 USA | 33’00
A provocative and unflinching documentary shining a light on Sins Invalid, a performance project on disability and sexuality that incubates and celebrates artists with disabilities, centralizing artists of colour and queer and gender-variant artists. Featuring performances by Nomy Lamm, Cara Page, Maria Palacios, ET Russian, Antoine Hunter, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha , seeley quest, Mat Fraser and Rodney Bell.
This film programme is a collaboration between Wotever DIY Film Festival and Fringe! Queer Film & Arts Fest, and part of a nationwide tour with the Queer Film Network. QFN is a strategic Film Hub Wales project and receives support from the BFI Film Audience Network.
Access Information:
This film screening will have closed captions, audio description, and BSL interpretation for introduction/Q&A. Large Print programme notes will be available on the night. The venue is wheelchair access via a lift from the ground floor (with accessible loo) to the first floor (the screening room). There are a few parking spaces directly outside the main door of the venue. Service dogs welcome.
Doors open at 16.30, for a 17.30 start.
Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.
TICKETS & PRICING
Tickets: General admission (moderate/high income) £8; general admission (low income) £5; wheelchair user space £5.
Advance booking recommended using Eventbright, but a limited number of tickets will be available on the door on the day (cash only).
