Listen to this post:
Hurrah! A new film of mine in a film festival! I don’t even want to talk about my film. (I will tell you it’s called “Cat Lady” and is an extended, more experimental version of a 1 minute film on my YouTube by a similar name that I made with no script. The one in this festival isn’t public yet.) So I just want to tell you about this fantastic festival. I’m humbled by being in the line-up of filmmakers who will be screened. Have a look and listen for the Bodies of Light film festival.
Tangled Art + Disability is a non-profit “dedicated to enhancing opportunities for artists with disabilities to contribute to the cultural fabric of our society.” And they do this in many ways, fostering the creativity and leadership of people with disabilities through arts, media, collaboration, and professional development. The film festival started in 2003. In the past few years, they’ve added master classes and workshops. And super awesomely, they offer Canada’s first artist-in-residence program for artists with disabilities. Canada is really big, by the way, as is the U.S. Residencies for artists with disabilities, accessible residencies? Not a big thing. So, go you, Tangled Art + Disability! I thank you.
Please visit their website, tangledarts.org to see the range of films that will be shown. There’s a beautiful lineup of creators using the media arts to approach a range of ideas and topics shown from realism to experimental. This is innovative work. It’s not the overcoming disability to inspire you stuff, nor is it a bunch of non-disabled filmmakers peering into disabled people’s lives to put us on display. People sometimes have a hard time understanding how I have a disability and make films. Trust me. I’m not the only one, so very, very much not the only one.
[Image description: Flyer for Bodies of Light 2015 film festival to celebrate International Women’s Day through the lens of disability and difference. A black and white image of three bodies standing onstage, lit from the back.]
Now here we go for a very fun ride!
The text of the flyer: “Tangled Art + Disability and the DisAbled Women’s Network Canada come together to host an evening of films and discussion of media works by women artists with disabilities. For one night only, Bodies of Light will feature rich and provocative work by artists whose identities reveal a wide range of stories and creative practices.
Films are captioned. (Yay!-That’s from me, Cheryl, not the flyer.) This event is in a barrier-free location. There will be ASL Interpreters and attendant care. We request that you help us make this a scent-free environment. This is a sober space. For any other accessibility arrangements or questions about accessibility, please contact Cara at cara@tangledarts.org (although that was till February 26th to make other arrangements).
Celebrating International Women’s Day through the lens of Disability and Difference
Innis Town Hall
2 Sussex Ave
Toronto
March 7th
Panel: 3:30-5:00 pm
Screening: 6:00-8:00 pm
The Innis Cafe will be open from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm for food and drinks for those staying for both the panel and screening.
Panelists:
- Catherine McKinnon, Director of the Deaf Arts and Film Festival
- Patricia Berne, Co-founder of Sins Invalid
- Bonnie Brayton, National Executive Director of DAWN-RAFH Canada
- Rina Fraticelli, Executive Director of Tangled Art + Disability
- With guest speaker: Pat Israel, one of the founding members of DAWN-RAFH Canada
This event is sponsored by NBCUniversal, Ontario Arts Council, and Creative Post Inc.
Tickets: guestlistapp.com/events/306921
General Admission: $10
People with disabilities: $5
PSW: Free
More info: www.tangledarts.org/bodies-of-light”
And there’s a Facebook event page!
Someone once said, before taking a picture of me with some cats, “Don’t worry. I won’t make you look like the crazy cat lady.” I truly don’t get why she said that. I take tremendous pride in the fact that I get along with cats better than with people. I am pleased that being in the presence of fuzzy creatures brings me closer to true calm than I have ever been able to feel since the TBI in 2010. It’s an affirmative thing, a good thing. Cats have taught me about non-verbal communication, peace, love, and generosity. And they smell nice. There is nothing crazy in wanting those things. Also, though, I really reject the use of “crazy” as an insult or a negative statement. I don’t say that in the movie. I just want to point that out in general.