TALKING
CHANGE

Her Excellency, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC

Governor-General of Australia

Ms Sam Mostyn AC was sworn in as Australia’s 28th Governor-General on 1 July 2024. 

A businesswoman and community leader, Ms Mostyn is known for her exceptional service to the Australian community. She has a long history in executive and governance roles across diverse sectors, including business, sport, climate change, the arts, policy and not-for-profit.

Her Excellency is also a patron of Bus Stop Films.

Buy Tickets

Nas Campanella

Disability Affairs Reporter ABC

Nas Campanella is the ABC’s National Disability Affairs Reporter. Nas is totally blind and has a neurological condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) which means she can’t read Braille. After completing a Communications degree at the University of Technology Sydney, majoring in journalism she started with the ABC as a cadet. Nas has worked as a regional reporter in south eastern New South Wales and then as a triple j newsreader for seven years. In taking on this role, Nas became the first blind newsreader in the world to read and operate the studio for herself live to air. In 2020 she was appointed to the senior national Disability Affairs role.

Nas travels the world to speak at events, helping to motivate people on issues ranging from inclusive education, adaptive technology, accessible travel and the importance of empowerment and leadership for women. Now also a proud mum to her son, Nas also shares her experiences navigating motherhood as a parent with disability. As well as working in the area of policy development in Australia and across the Pacific, Nas has volunteered abroad creating disability awareness training programs for the United Nations and has held several board positions in the disability sector.

Nas is a freelance writer, MC and mentor and is an ambassador for three organisations; The Centre of Perinatal Excellence, , Motivation Australia and the Royal Institute For Deaf and Blind Children.

Buy Tickets

Emily Dash

Disability Advocate, Actor, Filmmaker and Bus Stop Films Board Member

Emily Dash is an Australian writer, actor, advocate and speaker, celebrated for her dynamic storytelling and sharp comedic voice. Her recent show, Em & Maddie Solve Your Problems, premiered at the Sydney Fringe Festival in 2024, winning the Adelaide Fringe Tour Ready Award and has since gone on to win the Adelaide Fringe Festival Weekly Emerging Artist Award in March 2025. Emily is also known for her acclaimed short film Groundhog Night, which premiered at the Sydney Film Festival and won Audience Choice at the London Australian Film Festival in 2022. Her earlier works, including I Am Not A Work of Art, The Cards I’m Dealt, and The Milky Pop Kid, continue to be recognised at Australian and international festivals, carrying an enduring message of inclusion.

Emily is a co-creator of Diversity Work, a podcast exploring authentic representation and equity in the creative industries and the barriers that diverse creatives face. Through screen, theatre, and comedy, she continues to challenge perceptions and champion diverse voices. Emily also shapes disability perception and representation through her role as Chair of Attitude Foundation, Director of Bus Stop Films, Director of Accessible Arts, and Director of Dirty Feet.

Buy Tickets

Dianna La Grassa

COO and Head of Screen Bus Stop Films

With over 10+ years of experience in the education sector, an MBA graduate and a NIDA trained actress Dianna is our Chief Operating Officer and resident Producer. Her background in adult education underpins the delivery of our Accessible Film Studies Program.

As the COO it has given her great pleasure to watch the organisation pave ground-breaking pathways for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the film industry and watch the students blossom in these interactive and unique environments, seeing them develop real life skills and opportunities for their passion. Dianna has produced more than 25 film projects with Bus Stop Films including the multi award winning Groundhog Night and What Was it Like? and acclaimed films Filters, Visible and This Is News Radio.

Buy Tickets

Paul Nunnari

CEO Inclusively Made

Paul Nunnari is a Paralympic medallist, performer and disability advocate. In 2022 Paul received the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to New South Wales, particularly in the field of access and inclusion.Paul’s exploits as a performer came to prominence as “The Other Superman” on Australia's Got Talent in 2013. Since this time Paul has performed around the world, including setting a Guinness World Record on the Italian production of La Notte Dei record in Rome in 2019. This was followed by performances with The Wiggles in 2020, a performance at World Expo Dubai in 2021 and the principal act for Australia Day Live at Circular Quay in 2023.

Paul’s film credits include the infamous Wheelchair Zombie in Little Monsters by Australian director Abe Forsythe in 2019. He appeared in the ABC’s production of Fresh Blood Pilot Season (2015), Bus Stop Films Taking Back the Waves (2017) and in 2019 was key talent for the Blackmore’s Good Health Changes Everything campaign which included global distribution.

Paul’s live stage credits include Justene Williams' production of She Conjured the Clouds as part of the Sydney Festival, La Soiree at the Sydney Opera House and with The Wiggles in 2020.

Buy Tickets

Seema Dudley

Employment Trainer & On Set Support Worker Bus Stop Employment

Seema is a skilled  Employment Trainer & Assessor and on set support worker for Bus Stop Employment (BSE). Her role consists of delivering training modules to BSE’s members, and liaising between production companies and members in order to ensure a smooth transition to their work day on set.  Projects she has worked on as support worker include TVC’s for GOOGLE, ANZ, KIA, OPTUS, Australia’s first pictureless film ‘TOUCH’, and ABC's The Assembly & Headliners.

Prior to moving into disability support work, Seema worked for Channel NINE in their newsroom as a Senior News Non-Linear Editor, editing for their flagship 6pm broadcast, along with feature story editing for The Today Show, and Today Extra.

Seema has a keen passion for disability advocacy/inclusion and the film/tv industry, Seema says that Bus Stop Films and Bus Stop Employment offer the beautiful fusion of both and she is incredibly passionate about helping create a more inclusive industry for all to enjoy and be a part of!

Buy Tickets

Alex Jones

Senior Manager Access, Sydney Opera House

Alex is a leader with more than 15+ years of experience in corporate, government, and non-government roles and is a Graduate of Australian institute of Company Directors (GAICD), Certified Provisional Deaf Interpreter and Translator, and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University. He is a dedicated advocate for changing societal attitudes towards people with disabilities and people who are Deaf or hard of hearing in Australia. A Co-founder of Ai-Media, a global captioning solution provider, Alex has been instrumental in enhancing accessibility. Alex currently works at Sydney Opera House as a Senior Manager, Access in the Social Engagement and Impact Team. He continues to drive initiatives that empower individuals with disabilities, embodying his commitment to fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities. With a background in cultural event leadership, including the 2005 Melbourne Deaflympics Cultural Festival and 2018 Australian Deaf Games, he has been a longstanding ambassador for the NSW Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, and have served on boards as a Chair and Vice President for Deafness Forum and Deaf Sports Australia. Alex is the on the board of Australian Sign Language Interpreter and Translator Association.

Buy Tickets

Adam Archer

Head of Finishing and VFX, Spectrum Films

Adam Archer is the Head of Finishing & VFX at Spectrum Films, a 60 year old Australian family owned business. Adam has over 30 years experience in Post Production, on features, series and TVCs. His credits include Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Boy Swallows Universe, Runt, The New Boy, Heartbreak High  and Mr Inbetween. He has built a strong reputation for possessing sound technical knowledge with a flair for creative problem solving. As the proud father of two autistic children, Adam is passionate about advocating for more neuroinclusive practices within the Post Production industry. He is the founding force behind The Lumina Initiative, a neuroinclusive visual effects training and internship program being developed as a collaboration between Spectrum and Bus Stop Films.

Buy Tickets

Steph Dower

Disability advocate, Filmmaker and Access Coordinator

Stephanie Dower is a screen producer, writer, consultant, and access coordinator based in Brisbane, Australia. In 2021, Stephanie produced and edited short film Sunshine, a project funded through Screen Queensland’s RIDE Shorts program in collaboration with Taste Creative and Bus Stop Films. The film premiered at the Brisbane International Film Festival and later went on to screen at the Cleveland International Film Festival in the USA. More recently, Stephanie was a producer on short film And The Ocean Agreed, a film written, directed and produced by AWGIE-winner Tanya Modini.

Stephanie’s advocacy efforts as a filmmaker living with disability has seen her become a member of Screen Queensland’s Equity and Diversity Taskforce and appointed as an advisor to the Screen Producers’ Australia Council. Stephanie is also a regular co-host of Attitude Foundation’s ReFramedPodcast and works as an associate at disability inclusion consultancy firm, Get Skilled Access.

Buy Tickets

Soph Tonson

Disability Advocate

Soph is a creative extraordinaire — an emerging filmmaker, songwriter, and musician with a vibrant and distinctive voice. As an autistic, mostly non-speaking AAC user, she transforms her lived experience of disability into art that educates, uplifts and sparks understanding. Through a wide range of creative outlets, Soph offers bold, fresh, and deeply insightful glimpses into her world. Her work is more than expression — it is a form of illumination. Combining her musical talents, like drumming and writing evocative lyrics with powerful visual storytelling, she breaks barriers and shines a light on the beauty of her neurodivergence and disability identity. A passionate disability advocate, Soph believes in the power of representation and in creating space for every voice — spoken or unspoken — to be heard, seen and celebrated. She also aspires to develop her acting skills. Her art radiates her unique sparkle: authentic, imaginative, and unapologetically expressive.

Buy Tickets

Angus McCleod

Comedian and Advertising Executive

Angus McLeod is a comedian, actor, and advertising professional based in Melbourne. Since beginning his media career in 2018, he has worked across radio, small theatre productions, stand-up comedy, and brand strategy — building a path that blends creativity with communication. In October 2022, Angus survived an assault in Brisbane City that left him profoundly deaf. Now living with cochlear implants, he has become a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion in media. Drawing on lived experience, his work challenges industry norms and pushes for more authentic, accessible storytelling across platforms.

Buy Tickets

Bridie McKim

Actor, Advocate and Access Coordinator

Bridie is a NIDA graduate and has worked on screen productions such as The Heights, Bump, Christmas Ransom, Dive Club, Irreverent, and Joe Vs. Carole. This year, Bridie appeared in the Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Glass Menagerie. She is passionate about reducing the barriers faced by people with disability, so that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best. Bridie works as a screen access coordinator within the screen industry. She is also an access and inclusion consultant for disability inclusion consulting firm Get Skilled Access, founded by Dylan Allcott. 

Buy Tickets

Carly Findlay OAM

Disability Advocate and Writer

Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist.She also works part-time as Access and Disability Lead at Melbourne Fringe.Her first book, a memoir called Say Hello, was released in Australia in January 2019. She also edited Growing Up Disabled in Australia with Black Inc Books, released in February 2021.

She received an Order of Australia Medal for her work in disability advocacy and writing in 2020.Carly works part time as Melbourne Fringe's Access and Disability Lead. She writes on disability and appearance diversity issues for news outlets including CNN, ABC, The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, and SBS. She was a finalist in Marie Claire’s Women of the Year Awards in 2023, and named as one of Australia's most influential women in the 2014 Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards.

She has appeared on You Can’t Ask That, The Project and The Cook Up, and has been a regular on various ABC radio programs.

She has spoken at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Writers Festival, the University of Western England and Melbourne University, to name a few. She organised the history-making Access to Fashion, a Melbourne Fashion Week event featuring disabled models.

Carly has a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce. Carly identifies as a proud disabled woman - she has Ichthyosis and has survived Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer. She lives in Melbourne, Australia.

Buy Tickets

Dr Jenny Crosbie

Interim Director, Centre for Inclusive Employment

Jenny has over 35 years experience in the disability sector, primarily working in employment services in direct service, management, policy and research roles. Her PhD focused on the experience of young people with intellectual disability as they transitioned from school to work. Jenny is currently the Interim Director of the Centre for Inclusive Employment.

Buy Tickets

Elizabeth Wright

Journalist ABC Sport, Paralympian and Advocate

Elizabeth Wright is a Paralympic medalist, award winning sports journalist, keynote speaker and emcee. She brings forth all of her life experience to challenge people around disability, sport, diversity, and inclusion. Elizabeth holds degrees in Fine Art and Character Education; she is an international speaker and has edited and written for multiple disability focused and mainstream publications. Elizabeth now works at the ABC as a reporter, with a keen interest in telling Para sport stories.

Buy Tickets

Emma Myers

Screenwriter, Actor, Journalist and Disability rights advocate

She is the co-creator and writer of the critically acclaimed SBS Digital Originals’ series Latecomers, which won a Screen Producers Australia Award as well as the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Award in 2023, and the AACTA Award for Best Online Comedy or Drama in 2024.

Emma's career highlights include participating in Screenworks Inside The Writers Room program, serving on Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce, and speaking at the National Young Writers’ Festival and TEDX Sydney. Emma is also the inaugural disability rights and political reporter for Powerd Media, where she amplifies the voices of people with disabilities within Parliament. She was awarded ABC's Regional Storyteller Scholarship and has two years’ experience working as a Features Reporter for ABC News.

Through her work, she aims to address the community's concerns directly with policymakers and use storytelling as a tool to change perceptions of disability. Emma believes it’s crucial to challenge societal misconceptions about disability, particularly around topics like relationships and intimacy, where people with disabilities are often misunderstood or overlooked. Through her work in journalism and screenwriting, she aims to shift these perceptions.

Buy Tickets

Genevieve Clay-Smith

Director, Co-founder Bus Stop Films

Genevieve Clay-Smith is an award-winning writer and director dedicated to inclusive storytelling that shifts perceptions and champions underrepresented voices. She is the co-founder of Bus Stop Films, Taste Creative, and Inclusively Made—organisations that lead the way in accessible, purpose-driven filmmaking.

Genevieve was the series writer and director of Fizzy and Suds (Season 1), a joyful children’s show that was nominated for three Prix Jeunesse awards including the UNESCO award for diversity. She is also the creator, writer, and director of an upcoming live-action series for BBC Studios and Ludo Studio (the team behind Bluey). The new show invites families into the kitchen to cook, play, and connect—offering a real-world companion to Bluey's imaginative spirit.

Her debut feature film Boss Cat is set to premiere in 2026. The film follows a young woman with Down syndrome on her journey toward independence and self-discovery, told with heart and authenticity. Produced by Bus Stop Films through an inclusive filmmaking model, Boss Cat involves people with disability in key creative and crew roles.

Genevieve is a trailblazer in inclusive filmmaking, recognised internationally for her work that blends creative excellence with social impact. She is committed to building a screen industry that is more diverse, equitable, and creatively rich

Buy Tickets

Hannah Diviney

Writer, Disability advocate, Actress,

Hannah Diviney is a writer, disability advocate,  actress, screenwriter, speaker, author and media personality. Her disability advocacy has garnered global attention thanks to both a viral petition encouraging Disney to create a disabled Disney Princess and a successful campaign encouraging both Lizzo and Beyonce to change ableist lyrics. Her debut book, I'll Let Myself In, a collection of personal essays chronicling what it means to come of age in a world not built for you, was released in 2023. 

 As a writer, her work has appeared in Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Mamamia and The Guardian among others. She’s the former Editor in Chief of global grassroots media company, Missing Perspectives which she also co-founded, dedicated to platforming and making space for the lived experience of women and girls around the world.  As if that wasn't enough, she's also an actor having made television history as the first disabled person in Australia to do a sex scene on television, thanks to SBS digital originals series, Latecomers. She made her feature film debut in SXSW premiere pick Audrey. She’s also one of only a handful of people with disabilities to have ever addressed the National Press Club of Australia across its 60+ year history.

Buy Tickets

Karina Holden

Head of Factual at Northern Pictures

For over two decades, Karina has been a trailblazer in the field of factual television. As Head of Factual at Northern Pictures, her role has allowed her to oversee content creation for broadcast television and feature release, as well as direct her own films. In the last decade, she has overseen more than 20 factual series including See What You Made Me Do (SBS), called ‘one of the most important documentaries you’ll ever watch’; Employable Me (ABC), which gave people with disabilities their first opportunity to participate in the workforce and the dating shows celebrating diversity in Better Date than Never (ABC) and Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) winner of 5 Emmy® Awards. Along with the series co-creator Cian O’Clery, Karina has been recognised by the Producer’s Guild of America for advancing the portrayal and employment of disabilities in media. The crux of her work is to create change, truth tell and find unlikely heroes who challenge our perceptions.

Buy Tickets

Kellie Baxter

Indigenous Australian creative, Writer, Director, Producer, and Actor.

Kellie Baxter, known as Australia’s Baxter (BK), is a proud Indigenous creative, director, producer, and actor. She’s known for bold, culture-driven storytelling in projects like Sons of Summer, QLD Mob Rising, and Smiley. A graduate of NYFA and member of the LGBTQ+ community, BK brings heart, resilience, and lived experience to every project.

Buy Tickets

Kerry Tavou

Head of Inclusion & Diversity, Tennis Australia

Kerry has over 15 years of experience in creating welcoming, safe and inclusive sporting environments for people from diverse communities. Kerry is the Head of Inclusion & Diversity at Tennis Australia who are working through a range of initiatives that engage people with disability, multicultural communities, First Nations people and people part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Tennis Australia is committed to create a diverse workforce that feel valued and included, a game that reflects the diversity of our communities and events that are inclusive and celebrate diversity.

Buy Tickets

Knox Gibson

Actor The Hunger Games, Emerging paralympic swimmer

Knox Gibson is an actor and athlete from regional NSW whose determination and talent have seen him overcome adversity and thrive in the spotlight.

After losing his right arm in an accident at the age of 3, Knox defied expectations—playing rugby, excelling as a national-level swimmer, and building a fast-rising acting career, all by the age of 17.

His breakout role came as the lead in Netflix’s powerful 2022 short film Forgive Us Our Trespasses. He went on to appear as Tribute Bobbin in the 2023 blockbuster The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. In recognition of his work, Knox was named one of the Top 50 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Young Stars at the end of 2024 and attended the AACTA Festival in 2025 as part of this. 

Knox’s screen experience also includes appearances on The Project, ABC’s What’s It Like? and You Can’t Ask That, along with work for Kmart and Breeze Singapore, short films, music videos, a feature in Bonds’ As Worn By Us campaign, and modelling for Tommy Hilfiger in New York Fashion Week’s virtual Runway of Dreams.

Alongside his acting, Knox continues to shine as an athlete—regularly selected for the NSW Para Development Squad and competing at the 2024 and 2025 Australian Swimming Trials.

A passionate advocate for disability inclusion, Knox uses his platform to challenge stereotypes and push for authentic representation—believing that visibility and truth in storytelling can drive real change.

Buy Tickets

Melissa McClean

Executive Producer, Helium Pictures

Melissa Maclean is a film and television executive producer and director, having extensive experience in unscripted television across all genres. She believes strongly in the power of the screen to inform and entertain while changing norms. Melissa is proud to have worked collaboratively with participants and partners to deliver The Assembly to the ABC for Helium Pictures. Part of multi-Logie winning teams for Travel Guides and Gogglebox, she also co-created the successful format Parental Guidance, which has been sold overseas to 7 territories and was adapted in the USA as The Parent Test. Melissa's feature documentary Beyond Our Ken was nominated for an AFI and featured at international film festivals including Toronto HotDocs, MIFF, and IDFA. 

Buy Tickets

Meredith Hall

Gaming business, Developer and Producer

 Meredith Hall is a multi-award-winning business developer, marketer and producer. She is currently the Business Development and Marketing Director at Summerfall Studios, creators of the BAFTA/Grammy nominated Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical. Meredith has worked as Lead Producer at international studios Aconite & Strange Scaffold, as well as Games & Digital Content at VicScreen, where she administered grant funding to indie games like Untitled Goose Game. She's the co-founder of Accessibility Unlocked, an organisation focused on better support for disabled developers in the industry, and runs a newsletter called the Indie Dev Digest, an ANZ focused regional community noticeboard. Winner of the Rising Star Award at the 2020 Australian Game Developer Awards, she champions the games industry locally and internationally.

Buy Tickets

Olivia Hargroder

Actor and advocate

Olivia studied drama at NIDA’s Young Actors Studio and then gained a Cert IV in Stage and Screen with Perform Australia. She became an emerging artist with Brisbane’s La Boite Theatre Company and delivered her monologue performance Quick Fixes to great acclaim. This was an opportunity to combine her love of contemporary dance and drama, to drive a highly emotional performance. Her first lead role on screen, was in Bus Stop’s beautiful short film Sunshine with Anna McGahan. She burst into Australian living rooms, in ABC TV’s Better Date Than Never, winning hearts and changing minds about people with a disability.  Olivia has been part of Bus Stop’s filmmaking program since 2021, exploring all aspects of the industry and working on a diverse range of projects. She jumped at the chance to audition for the gritty lead role of Sonja in Bus Stop’s first feature film Boss Cat and cannot wait to bring this incredible story to the world.

Buy Tickets

Patrick Hukins

Sexologist and Psychosexual Therapist | LGBTQIA+ and Disability Lived Experience Advocate

Patrick Hukins (they/them) is a queer, non-binary psychotherapist and sexuality educator with lived experience of autism and ADHD. As a clinical counsellor specializing in relationships, gender and sexuality, they work alongside people with disability to explore intimacy, identity and pleasure without shame.

Patrick has led national projects in inclusive sex education, co-created film-based resources like Love Rights and Peaches and Cream, and delivered training across health, disability, and education sectors. They advocate for the rightful presence of people with disability in shaping the stories that reflect their lives - because these voices are not only valid, but vital to meaningful and authentic storytelling.

They bring warmth, insight, and lived expertise to conversations about inclusion, consent and representation.

Buy Tickets

Ronan Soussa

Bus Stop Films Participant Ambassador, disability advocate

Ronan is a young man who lives with Autism. He resides in Sydney with his parents, older brother and the two family cats.

His early years were filled with frustration and confusion however with the dedicated support of his parents, family and friends he now lives a happy and very busy fulfilled life.

Ronan proudly graduated from high school in 2017 and has now moved into the world of employment which he finds very rewarding.

He is passionate about promoting inclusiveness, advocating for people living with autism and spreading positivity.

He is a proud Ambassador for both the Autism Community Network and Bus Stop Films.

Ronan loves to experience new things and has many interests and hobbies, some of which are;  a passion for motor racing including working at the race track, playing piano and tuba, drama, modelling, voiceover, karate in which he has achieved a black belt, and learning about film making.  Just as importantly to him are the fun times he spends with the friends he has made through social support groups.

Four years ago Ronan dipped his toe into the world of dating, appearing as a participant on ‘Love on the Spectrum’ through which he has met someone who is now a special person in his life. 

Buy Tickets

Sam Martin

Deaf filmmaker and researcher Sign on Screen

Sam Martin (he/him) is a Deaf, Queer director, creative producer, writer, consultant and Access Coordinator working across film, television and theatre. A graduate of AFTRS with a BA in Screen: Production, he has directed short, award-winning short documentaries broadcast nationally and screened internationally. He is also one of the first qualified Access Coordinators in Victoria, having trained with Bridge06 and worked in the role on a major production for seven months. Sam also is currently an MPhil candidate with ANU’s Sign on Screen project, exploring Deaf "Voice” in documentary filmmaking.

Buy Tickets

Samira Cox

Bus Stop Employment Member

My name is Samira Cox and I am 24 years old.  I live with Usher syndrome which means I was born profoundly deaf; I have some balance difficulties and retinitis pigmentosa and am now legally blind (but I still have good central vision!).  I have cochlear implants which allow me to hear and enjoy music.

I started to get into filmmaking when I attended a filmmaking workshop with Hear for You who mentor deaf teenagers.  I started to enter their annual film festival and have won awards for Best Screenplay, Best Story, and one year my short film “What Am I Missing” was selected to be shown in Hearing Australia Offices.  This experience gave me a passion for creating films and has led me to pursuing this as a career.  I also produced a short film for my HSC Major Artwork which included an animated character. 

Since leaving school I have entered short films in the Focus on Ability Film Festival, Georges River Council Short Stuff Film Festival, and BlindDANCE Film Festival in the USA.  In all these films I was screenwriter, director, editor, and actor. I recently submitted a short, animated film to the 20th Anniversary Fan Club Celebration for Kingdom Heart which was shared online.  I am also inspired by Japanese Anime and games such as Kingdom Heart.

Buy Tickets

Stevie Nicholson

Production Manager

Stevie Nicholson is a Film and Television Production Professional with credits across major international productions, including Heartbreak High (Netflix), Colin From Accounts (CBS), and La Brea (NBC). A former member of the ARIA Award–winning children’s group Hi-5, Stevie continued his passion for storytelling as the author of the hit children’s book Superdudes. Earlier in his career, he was nominated for an Australian Sports Commission Award for his work as Assistant Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. Stevie brings a unique blend of creative energy, production expertise, and a deep commitment to inclusion and representation across all forms of media.

Buy Tickets

Tim Hans

Producer

Tim Hans is a video producer who specialises in working with people with disability to create online content. He is the co-creator of the hit comedy cooking show, Beautiful, Tasty, Beautiful! starring Sean and Marley. Tim has helped Sean and Marley (two best friends with Down syndrome) become global celebrities, filming, editing, and producing their social media content, which has helped them gain millions of followers all over the world. In 2023 they won the 'TikTok for Good Award' at the Australian TikTok awards, and have collaborated with brands such as Arnotts, Sydney Water, Disney, Raw Nutrition, Kraft, Lego, Down Syndrome NSW, and many more. 

Buy Tickets

Seema Dudley

Member Development and Placement Coordinator

Seema is a skilled Employment Trainer & Assessor and on set support worker for Bus Stop Employment (BSE). Her role consists of delivering training modules to BSE's members, and liaising between production companies and members in order to ensure a smooth transition to their work day on set.  Projects she has worked on as support worker include TVC's for GOOGLE, ANZ, KIA, OPTUS, and Australia's first pictureless film 'TOUCH', by MASTERCARD and HOWATSON & CO. Prior to moving into disability support work, Seema worked for Channel NINE in their newsroom as a Senior News Non-Linear Editor, editing for their flagship 6pm broadcast, along with feature story editing for The Today Show, and Today Extra.

Buy Tickets

Bella Roberts

Content creator. Editorial Assistant on Netflix's Adolescence

Bella Roberts is a London-based editor, film school graduate, and social media personality. Bella’s love of cinema as a child led to a fully-fledged pursuit of filmmaking in her teens. After developing her videography skills through short film content and YouTube vlogs, Bella realised her passion lay on the cutting room floor.

In October 2022, armed with a wealth of knowledge, Bella started her TikTok channel and became a valuable source of editing expertise on the internet. Three years later, Bella has risen to prominence in the industry, amassing a dedicated fan base of eager learners and creatives. Bella's engaging content and distinct catchphrases have evolved her audience into an active community eager for her recommendations and preferred brands.

Bella sparked significant conversation about the challenges of breaking into the film and TV industry. Her viral series, "Day in the Life of a Runner," ignited discourse around working your way up in entry-level roles and how to successfully navigate the industry.

Buy Tickets

Aimee Huxley

Advocate and Filmmaker

Aimee Huxley is a former Senior Production Manager with over fourteen years’ experience in the Screen Industry, across the United Kingdom and Australia combined.

 In January 2025, Aimee launched her own business- Inclusive Consulting which offers a range of accessible and inclusive workplace solutions to businesses and organisations, with expertise in the Screen, Creative and Arts sectors. 

Alongside her Entrepreneurial ventures, Aimee works part time in the Social Change team at Guide Dogs raising awareness and advocating for key issues that impact people with blindness and low vision.

Proudly identifying as a female leader with low vision, Aimee strongly understands the barriers that people with disability face in society and everyday life. Her mission is to contribute to creating a world that offers equal opportunity to everyone regardless of their age, gender, background, culture, ethnicity, disability or sexual orientation.

Aimee’s excited to bring her warmth for community, love for the Arts and passion for positive social impact to the discussion at Driving Change: Disability Employment Summit in November 2025. 

Buy Tickets

Matt Formston

Advocate, surfer and filmmaker

Matt Formston is no ordinary athlete. With 3% vision, he's a world champion big wave surfer, Guinness World Record Holder, cyclist and Australian Paralympian.

Diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy at age 5, Matt defied expectations by excelling in mainstream school and playing Rugby League, Union, and Ice Hockey - all with the love and support of his family who never used the word 'cant' and focussed on things that he could do. Beyond the waves and tracks, Matt is a powerhouse in the professional realm. As a motivational speaker and executive coach, he's inspired leaders and teams across iconic brands and businesses in Australia. His story is a testament to turning differences into superpowers.

Buy Tickets

Laura Winson

Founder Zebedee

Laura Winson is a leading advocate for inclusive advertising and co-founder of Zebedee Talent, an agency dedicated to authentic representation of disabled, visibly different, and trans and non-binary people in the media. Since launching Zebedee in 2017 with her sister-in-law Zoe Proctor, Laura has been at the forefront of transforming industry standards, ensuring that inclusivity is not just a trend but a fundamental aspect of creative storytelling.

With a background as a qualified social worker, Laura's commitment to social justice and advocacy for underrepresented communities deeply informs her approach to inclusive advertising. Under her leadership, Zebedee has partnered with global brands such as  Burberry, Marks & Spencer, and Primark, facilitating campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences and unlock the commercial potential of inclusive representation.

An established speaker and thought leader, Laura has shared her expertise on inclusive advertising at various industry events and publications, including SXSW, Cannes Lions, Vogue Business and the BBC.

Buy Tickets

Charlie

Life Education’s “Healthy Harold” first Auslan presenter

I’m Charlie, I’m 11 years old and in Year 6. I absolutely love dancing and musical theatre, being on stage is one of my favourite things ever! When I’m not dancing or performing, you’ll probably find me playing soccer with my friends or reading one of the many books in my growing collection (I can never have too many!). I recently hosted a series with Life Education’s “Healthy Harold” and was the first Auslan presenter in the series. 

I was born deaf and I wear cochlear implants, which help me hear the world around me. I’m also learning Auslan and think it’s important for more people to know about being deaf and how wonderful the deaf community is. I love sharing my story and raising awareness so that everyone can feel included and understood.

Buy Tickets

Nathan Borg

Actor and Advocate

Nathan Borg is an Australian Deaf actor from Melbourne. Nathan is known for his acting role in 'Neighbours' (2021), where he portrayed “Curtis Perkins”. In 2023, Nathan became 'BONDS' first deaf and recurring model in a variety of projects featuring Auslan representation. Nathan played the lead in Bus Stop Films' fully Auslan scripted rom com, the award-winning 'Strawberry Cheesecake'. Nathan has gained visibility for his advocacy work in TV interviews on 'ABC News Breakfast,' 'Studio 10, 'The House of Wellness,' and the famous gay magazine 'DNA.'. He worked alongside Northern Pictures, Jaggi Entertainment, and Werner Film Productions in crew roles.

Buy Tickets

Quaden Bayles

Actor and Advocate

Buy Tickets

Ian Lynch

Content Director, Screen QLD

Buy Tickets

Michael Monk

Post Production Netflix Australia and New Zealand

Buy Tickets

Karina Holden

Head of Factual at Northern Pictures

For over two decades, Karina has been a trailblazer in the field of factual television. As Head of Factual at Northern Pictures, her role has allowed her to oversee content creation for broadcast television and feature release, as well as direct her own films. In the last decade, she has overseen more than 20 factual series including See What You Made Me Do (SBS), called ‘one of the most important documentaries you’ll ever watch’; Employable Me (ABC), which gave people with disabilities their first opportunity to participate in the workforce and the dating shows celebrating diversity in Better Date than Never (ABC) and Love on the Spectrum (Netflix) winner of 5 Emmy® Awards. Along with the series co-creator Cian O’Clery, Karina has been recognised by the Producer’s Guild of America for advancing the portrayal and employment of disabilities in media. The crux of her work is to create change, truth tell and find unlikely heroes who challenge our perceptions.

Buy Tickets

Mandina Oh

Project Manager, Diversity & Inclusion ABC

Buy Tickets

Jessica Sherlock

Membership Development and Training Coordinator

Jessica has ten years experience working in the disability sector within Australia and the UK, for both government and non-government organizations. Driven by a passion for film and television as a platform for social change and advocacy, Jessica transitioned into the screen industry, and has directed a number of short films screened in festivals across Australia. She is passionate about the amplification of underrepresented voices and stories on Australian screens and a more inclusive screen industry. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Film from SAE Institute, and a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Queensland.

Buy Tickets

Bethany Woodman

The Assembly Season 1 graduate

Buy Tickets