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Keely Cat-Wells

Founder & CEO Making Space (USA)

Keely founded her first company in hospital, which later became C Talent, a talent agency that represents Disabled artists, reshaping perceptions of disability. C Talent was acquired in 2022, marking a significant milestone for disability within the creative industries. Keely is now the founder & CEO of Making Space, a talent acquisition and learning platform that develops accessible pathways to employment and career advancement through employer-backed courses for Disabled people, notably securing partnerships with NBC, Netflix and Amazon. Under the Making Space umbrella is Making Space Media, a division that creates film and TV content amplifying disabled narratives, Making Space Media securing a first-look deal with Reese Witherspoons, Hello Sunshine. Keely is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, Presidential Leadership Scholar ’24, AdWeek Young Influential and Diana Award Winner.

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Lisa Cox

Advertising consultant and disability advocate.

Lisa Cox is a TEDx speaker, author, globally published writer, internationally awarded thought leader and inclusive communications consultant. Combining her professional background in advertising and media, with a lived experience of disability, Lisa is committed to improving employment outcomes for people with a disability by empowering professionals in some of the world’s most influential industries, like film and advertising. Her solutions-focused approach is helping professionals better navigate the nuances of disability inclusion through their content and workplace practices. Lisa is the inaugural Disability Affairs Officer at Media Diversity Australia, has worked with Advertising Council Australia’s Diversity & Inclusion Taskforce and currently sits on Griffith University Inclusive Futures Engagement Council. Read more at www.lisacox.co

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Nas Campanella

ABC National Disability Affairs Reporter

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.

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Michael Theo

Actor and Voice Over Artist

Michael Theo is an aspiring actor and voice over artist. Most recently he played a leading role in the

8 part comedy series Austin (ABC/Northern Pictures), where he stars alongside Ben Miller and Sally

Phillips, as well as Gia Carides and Roy Billing. As reviewed by David Knox/TV Tonight ‘Theo nails his

scenes alongside more experienced performers, with all the required comic timing’.

Michael was also the break-out star of the ABC/Northern Pictures documentary series, Love on the

Spectrum 1 & 2. Love on the Spectrum was a heart-warming and hugely successful series which

followed Michael and other young adults on the autism spectrum as they explored the

unpredictable world of love, dating and relationships. Michael captured the hearts of viewers with

his dapper style, unintentionally hilarious one liners, big heart and warm personality. He quickly

became a fan favourite not only in Australia but around the world, and appeared on many interview

shows including his favourite, Ellen in the US. Prior to Austin, Michael made his professional acting

debut in the Emmy award-winning kids drama, HardBall, also produced by Northern Pictures for

ABC Television. He is especially keen to work on comedies, animations and other voice roles in film

and television projects and has an array of character voices up his sleeve!

A passionate animal activist, nature lover, avid railway enthusiast, Michael is a strong believer in

‘it’s our differences that make us all special’. He has used both his online platforms and widely

successful podcast, Mr A+ (DM Podcasts) to create a safe space to express & celebrate these

differences and continues to invite many fascinating people from all walks of life to come forward

and share their interesting stories with the world.

Outside of the performing world, Michael is an Ambassador for Wable (an app designed to help

neurodivergent people facilitate connections for friendship). He also works at Aspect Autism as a

consultant.

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Dana Cadden

Global Head of Production – Unilever

Dana is a one the most pioneering creative production leaders in the industry, renowned for setting new standards through the development of cutting-edge global production processes and innovative production strategies.

Throughout her career, Dana has worked with some of the world’s most recognisable brands, earning numerous prestigious awards along the way. Her passion for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (E,D&I), Accessibility, and Sustainable Production is evident in leadership of groundbreaking initiatives.

Some of her career highlights include the transformative programs and policies she has led to challenge the status quo and unite the advertising production industry to unlock access and opportunities for underrepresented groups behind the camera. Notably, Dana launched the industry’s first Inclusive Set Commitment and playbook, promoting access and opportunities for the disability community in commercial production. A pioneer of inclusivity in film production. Additionally, she is committed to eliminating the negative environmental impacts of commercial advertising production

Dana is a global production thought leader and contributor to various industry playbooks. Dana is a founding board member of AdGreen, ISBA Advertising Accessibility, and various other industry steerco’s that drive visibility toward progressive production.

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Hannah Diviney

Actor, Advocate and Author

Hannah Diviney is one of the most impressive new young faces and voices in the public eye. The multi-hyphenate  is an author, writer and a  disability advocate (her biggest work includes the wildly successful change.org petition encouraging Disney to create a disabled Disney Princess and making international news headlines after successfully getting both Lizzo and Beyonce to change ableist lyrics). She’s also an actress – having made her television debut in the groundbreaking SBS show Latecomers as arguably the first disabled person to lead a show in the world and the first disabled person in the country to do a sex scene on television.  Her first book, I'll Let Myself In was released September 2023. Her feature film debut Audrey is set to hit cinemas in 2024

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Hon Amanda Rishworth

Minister for Social Services

Amanda Rishworth was elected to the federal parliament as the Member for Kingston in Adelaide’s southern suburbs at the age of 29.

Prior to becoming Minister for Social Services in 2022, she served as a parliamentary secretary in the Gillard government in the areas of disabilities, carers, environment and water. In opposition Amanda served as an assistant minister in the education portfolio, Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth – leading the Labor Party’s childcare policy ahead of the 2022 election.

Raised in Adelaide, Amanda attended local state schools before graduating with a Bachelor of Psychology Honours from Flinders University and a Masters Degree in Psychology from Adelaide University.

Before entering politics, she practised as a psychologist working with General Practitioners in the delivery of mental health care to the community and served as the Federal President of Young Labor.

Her diverse portfolio encompasses issues such as women’s safety, social security, delivering on an early years strategy, providing support for pensioners, improving the lives of Australians living with disability and tackling the harm caused by online wagering.

Amanda is passionate about improving the lives of all people living in Australia and contributing towards a more inclusive and equitable society.

She is a proud mum of two young boys, Percy and Oscar.

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Stevie Ray

Casting Director at McGregor Casting

Stevie Ray has worked in casting for the past 17 years with McGregor Casting. He has worked across all performance platforms – theatre, TV commercials, TV and web series, short and feature films. Some examples of his web and TV series work include the popular ABC series The Moodys, Here Come The Habibs for Channel 9, The Let Down, Diary of an Uber Driver & Troppo for the ABC and the AACTA nominated and multi-award winning web series High Life. His short film work includes the AACTA nominated film, You and Me Before and After, the AACTA winning and Oscar nominated film, The Eleven O’Clock, and he was awarded the Casting Guild of Australia award for Best Casting for a Short Film for Strangers. He has been an associate on a number of feature films including the AACTA nominated film Wish You Were Here, The Rover and San Andreas. He was casting director on the feature films Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan, Little Monsters, Penguin Bloom, 6 Days; won a Casting Guild of Australia award for Best Casting in a Feature Film for both Down Under and Babyteeth – for which he also won an AACTA award for Best Casting. You can currently catch his work in the feature film Transfusion, starring Sam Worthington and the series Wolf Like Me starring Isla Fisher and Josh Gad, both on Stan, the feature film The Appleton Ladies’ Potato Race on 10Play, the series The Last King of the Cross, starring Tim Roth and Lincoln Younes on Paramount+, the series Colin From Accounts, starring Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall on Binge, the series Thai Cave Rescue starring Damon Herriman and Rodger Corser and the feature film Spiderhead starring Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller, both on Netflix and the feature film The Fall Guy starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. He is currently the treasurer of the Casting Guild of Australia.

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Anousha Zarkesh

Vice President Casting Guild of Australia

Anousha Zarkesh has been casting for over 25 yrs now specialising in top end Australian TV and film projects.  . Based in Sydney, our casting agency has gained a reputation for championing diversity and inclusion and producing internationally award winning work.     Some of our recent productions include: The New Boy, The Stranger (Netflix), One Night (Motive, Fifth Season, Paramount +), Shayda, Firebite (AMC), Class of 07 (Amazon) Total Control 1,2, 3, Mystery Road Series 1, 2 and 3, (TV) Rake (TV), Redfern now (TV), Cleverman (TV), The Principal (TV), INXS Never tear us apart (TV), Catching Milat (TV), Peter Brock Story (TV), 800 words (TV), Black Comedy (TV), Jasper Jones (FF), Hounds of Love (FF), Manny Lewis (FF), Alex and Eve (FF).  

Anousha has been nominated and won numerous AACTA Casting Awards and Casting Guild Awards over the years for  Shayda, The New Boy, The Stranger, We Are Still Here, High Ground, Black Comedy, Mystery Road, Total Control, Sweet Country etc

She is Vice President of the Australian Casting Guild and Vice President of Screen Illawarra.

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Kyas Hepworth

Head of Screen NSW

Kyas is an accomplished industry leader known for authentic collaboration and agility, ability to bring cultural change and strong stakeholder relations, negotiation skills and execution of government policy.

As the Head of Screen NSW, Kyas spearheads the state’s film and production strategy and advances NSW’s position both in digital games and as one of the leading national and international screen and post-production destinations. Kyas leads a dedicated team to deliver innovative funding programs, services and initiatives that champion storytellers and creative workers in the screen and digital games industry.

Her extensive creative expertise spans across feature films, documentaries, television series, and web series. Prior to joining Screen NSW, Kyas served as the Head of Commissioning and Programming at NITV working within SBS, and has worked with esteemed organisations including  the Australian Film Television and Radio School and Screen Australia. Kyas currently sits on the Board of AusFilm and has held positions as a board member for MediaRing and the Australian International Documentary Conference. She was an inaugural member of the Screen Diversity and Inclusion Network (SDIN) and was previously an ambassador for the Natalie Miller Fellowship.

In 2021 Kyas was honoured as an Official Competition Jury Member for the 68th Sydney Film Festival, and in 2023 she was selected as a Featured Speaker at the inaugural SXSW Sydney. Her well attended fireside chat ‘Burn it to the Ground- Creative Leadership’ was facilitated by Holly Ransom

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Emily Dash

Disability advocate, actor, filmmaker and Bus Stop Films board member

Emily Dash is an emerging writer, actor, producer and speaker. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) (Gender Studies) in 2013, achieving First Class Honors in Sociology.

Emily began her artistic practice in 2014. In 2015/16 she engaged in a professional writing mentorship to develop Red Door Arts’ “CONNECT Project”, a multidisciplinary street performance exploring inclusion co-written and co-curated with Alyson Evans. Emily also starred in this performance.

Her debut short film “I Am Not A Work of Art” was part of Metro Screen’s 2015 Screenability program. An early development of this piece was exhibited at the 2015 Adelaide Film Festival. Her second film was Can You See Me Theatre’s “The Cards I’m Dealt” (2015), shortlisted for Tropfest Short Film Festival 2016.  Emily wrote and starred in both these works.  She also wrote a film entitled “Reimagining the Village” for Rozelle Neighbourhood Centre and Maitree House. Another film credit is Johanna Garvin’s short film “The Milky Pop Kid” (Highly Commended for Writing – Sydney Film Festival 2017), which she co-wrote and starred in.

She was the sole writer of her most recent film “Groundhog Night” directed by Genevieve Clay-Smith for Bus Stop Films, which premiered at Sydney Film Festival 2020 and screened in Flickerfest 2021, CinefestOZ and the Travelling Film Festival 2020. She starred alongside Robyn Nevin, John Batchelor, Susan Prior, Genevieve Clay-Smith and Chris Haywood. It is currently being developed for TV and has had both national and International success.

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Liana Dubois

Chief Marketing Officer Nine

With more than 20 years experience in the media, marketing and advertising industry, Liana is widely recognized for her expertise in creating innovative marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement. Liana made a name for herself developing big ideas for major marketing campaigns with a specialist ability to craft compelling messages that resonated with audiences across multiple channels, earning her widespread praise from colleagues and clients alike. Before stepping into the role of CMO, Liana was Nine's Director of Powered. There, she led a team of marketing professionals responsible for creating and executing innovative branded content and sponsorship opportunities across Nine's media properties. Under her leadership, Powered became the most successful branded content division in the Australian media industry. Liana is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She is involved in several charitable organizations, including Cerebral Palsy Alliance and regularly volunteers her time to support causes she cares about. Liana is also Nine's executive sponsor for its All Abilities community. Liana Dubois is a highly respected c-suite marketing executive who has made significant contributions to the success of Nine's media brands. Her ability to develop and execute innovative marketing strategies has helped to drive growth and engagement, and her commitment to creative excellence and community service has made her a valued member of the media industry and beyond.

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Sam Turley

Invention Lead | Head of Inclusive Innovation Mindshare

With a 20-year career dedicated to connecting brands with people and culture through innovative media thinking, Sam is a driving force in the industry. Joining the Mindshare network in 2008, she spearheaded the development of strategic and media-led creativity for leading global brands, culminating in her appointment as the agency's first-ever Chief Creative Officer in 2017.

Today, Sam leads Mindshare Australia’s Invention and Inclusive Innovation products where her work has garnered global recognition, and she represents WPP as a member of The Unstereotype Alliance.

When Sam's not at her desk, you’ll find her helping to create the conditions for creativity to thrive in businesses and mentoring the next generation of industry-shapers.

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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.

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Matt Deaner

CEO Screen Producers Australia

Matthew Deaner is the Chief Executive Officer of Screen Producers Australia (SPA), a national organisation that unites the screen industry to campaign for a healthy commercial environment. SPA supports the interests of businesses, large and small, in their production of feature films, television programs, interactive content and games across all genres and formats. Matthew oversees all aspects of Screen Producers Australia’s advocacy work, industrial negotiations, events and operational issues. He also works closely with the SPA Council to set the strategic direction of the organisation as well as identify and execute new business development opportunities. Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge to Screen Producers Australia with his experience as a lawyer in both Sydney and London and in senior policy and strategy positions with Screen Australia and the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association.

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Daniel Valiente-Riedl

General Manager Job Access

Daniel has over 20 years of experience working in the disability sector. During this time, he has worked in the areas of mental health, intellectual, developmental, acquired and physical disability.

Currently, the General Manager for JobAccess, Daniel manages a WorkFocus Australia team delivering this award-winning service on behalf of the Australian Government. JobAccess is the national hub for workplace and employment information for people with disability, employers and service providers.

Daniel has a passion for working with people and has occupied senior management positions in several organisations, including volunteer Directorships in not-for-profit organisations. Daniel was also a part-time teacher at the Sydney Institute of TAFE, delivering courses within the Community and Mental Health Diplomas.

Daniel has completed studies in training and assessment, management and human resources management, and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Master of Business

Administration, and is currently completing the Master of Science in Organisational Psychology.

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Chanel Bowen

Disability advocate, filmmaker and Access Coordinator

Chanel Bowen is a regional film producer and programmer who is passionate about community-driven films and deliveringAustralian content to audiences. Chanel graduated from Curtin University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts (Film and TV) and Bachelor of Commerce (International Business and Accounting) having studied in Perth and internationally with courses in China, Denmark and Canada. Chanel is a proud member of the disability and hard-of-hearing communities and is a passionate advocate for disability stories on screen. Chanel has partnered with A2K Media on the Industry Advisory Committee for Disability Justice Lens and serves on the Minister’s Advisory Committee for Disability in Western Australia reporting to Honorable Don Punch, Minister for Disability.

Becoming passionate about awareness of brain injuries, how common and diverse they are – Chanel has worked with the Australian Society for Study of Brain Injury, Shelter WA and studied Traumatic Brain Injury at the University of Tasmania.

Chanel is trained as an Access Coordinator with Bridge06 and Screen Australia, prior to this developing guidelines for the role through case studies with Bus Stop Films CEO and COO Tracey Corbin-Machett and Dianna La Grassa. Chanel currently works alongside Bus Stop Films founders Eleanor Winkler and Genevie Clay-Smith as Producers Attachment on the first inclusively made feature film in Australia, Baby Cat which will go into production in 2023. Chanel has been awarded the Regional to Global Screenworks and Australians In Film Internship in LA for 2022 allowing her to expand her producing experience with Animal

Logic Entertainment and Truant Pictures in the USA. Chanel has worked for CinefestOZ Film Festival as the Film Manager for feature film content since 2016 and passionately delivers Australian content to audiences across regional Australia. Arguably

the most enjoyable part of Chanel’s job is working with locals in remote and regional locations on films, helping them to experience life ‘on set’ and deliver believable performances, most recently doing so with locals around Bremer Bay with Tim Winton’s young adult fiction adaption to screen, Blueback. Chanel has been recognised by Screen Producers Australia as a ‘One to Watch’ and will be mentored throughout the first half of 2023 by Goalpost Pictures founders Rosemary Blight and Kylie du Fresne. In her spare time, Chanel likes to cook dumplings from scratch, surf or swim in the ocean and talk to her chickens about the meaning of life.

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Nathan Borg

Deaf advocate, actor and producer

Nathan Borg (He/Him) is a Deaf, Queer actor and advocate within the Australian film, television and theatre industry. He is recognised for his Deaf roles in “Neighbours”, “BONDS,” and has gained visibility for his advocacy work, including interviews on ABC, Channel 7, Channel 10, and the ListenABLE Podcast. Nathan will be in an upcoming deaf film, “My Melbourne” which will be released in cinemas 2024. Fluent in both English and Auslan, Nathan is also a cochlear implant user.

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Damian Griffis

CEO First Peoples Disability Network Australia

Damian Griffis is a Worimi man and a leading advocate for the human rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability. Damian has been a central figure in the establishment of both the Aboriginal Disability Network NSW and FPDN. Damian represents FPDN at regional, national and international forums. In 2014, he won the Tony Fitzgerald (Community Individual) Memorial Award at the Australian Human Rights Awards.

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Paul Nunnari

CEO Inclusively Made, Access expert, entertainer, paralympian and BSF Advisory board member

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.

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Sofya Gollan

Deaf filmmaker, actor and Access and Inclusion Coordinator

Writer & Director Sofya Gollan is an award-winning filmmaker and a graduate from both NIDA and AFTRS. She is also a playwright and has been a Griffin Playwrights Studio Resident. As a filmmaker she has been nominated for numerous AFI/ACCTA Awards for her films which have screened extensively here and internationally. In 2024 she received the Australian Writers Guild Award Best Screenplay for Community Documentary for Imagined Touch, alongside a nomination for Best Director from the Australian Directors Guild. Her latest film Threshold screened at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and is currently playing at festivals worldwide.  Alongside her creative practice she leverages 20+ years experience to advocate for diversity inclusion, implementing cultural change and representation of diverse content on screen. As such she is a leader in design and delivery of disability-led screen programs and works in leadership roles across the screen, arts and disability sector with the most recent being the Accessibility Coordinator Training Scheme with Screen Australia in 2023.

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Rae Pastuszak

Experience Delivery Assistant oOh!media and award winning Actor

Rae Pastuszak is an actor who has appeared in various TVC, online campaigns and photo shoots, including the lead role for NIB’s 2023 TVC made through the Shift 20 initiative. Her other campaigns include McDonalds, Optus/Google partnership, Arumba Disability Services and the Australian Government Covid Arm Yourself campaign. She has also appeared in print photo shoots for various companies, most recently the Island Vibes tan range launch campaign.

Rae is best known for her role as Daisy Bus Stop Films – short film Hopeful Romantic for which she won Best Actor at the Australian Women’s Film Festival in 2023. She has appeared in other many short films, most notably a lead role in Filters. Rae attends Bus Stop Films – Accessible Film Studies Program and Actors Centre Australia’s Accessible Acting program and is part of the Midnight Feast drama ensemble at NIDA. Rae is keen to see more people with intellectual disabilities represented on our screens.

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Ken Crouch

Head of Industry Development Screen Australia

In February 2023, Ken joined Screen Australia in the newly created role of Head of Industry Development. In this role, Ken develops and implements national programs to support capacity building and skills development for the Australian screen sector and is focused on building a national strategic framework supporting industry capacity and skills development. He is also responsible for coordinating and managing stakeholder relations with the Office for the Arts, state government agencies, industry partners, local production companies and inbound productions, and collaborating with the First Nations department at Screen Australia and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity committee.

As Screenworks CEO from 2014 to 2023, Ken implemented strategic changes that transformed and expanded Screenworks into the leading regional provider of training and industry development events and initiatives for screen creatives and crew across Australia and internationally. At Screenworks, Ken oversaw 280+ training and industry development initiatives, attended by and supported more than 14,000 regional Australians, and achieved an average annual revenue growth of 32%.

Before Screenworks, Ken was part of the Executive Management team at Clarence Valley Council between 2012 and 2014, where he oversaw multiple delivery units and was responsible for the final stages of delivering the $8M federally funded Sir Earle Page Library and Education Centre. Ken was also previously Business Operations Manager for Australia’s largest annual event, Sydney New Year’s Eve, and has served on the boards of non-profit organisations and government advisory committees.

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Michael Wrenn

Producer and Executive Producer

Michael Wrenn (Invisible Republic) has been in the film industry for 30+ years working in exhibition, distribution, production, sales and acquisitions in both the UK, France and Australasia.

Michael has been Executive Producer on Kim Mordaunt’s The Rocket (Berlin 2013 Best First

Feature, Crystal Bear and Amnesty Prize), Ivan Sen’s Cannes selected Mystery Road (2014), Gillian Armstrong’s docu-drama Women He’s Undressed (2016) on Australian Academy Award Winner, Orry Kelly and, in 2017, Priscilla Cameron’s The Butterfly Tree (MIFF, TIFF) amongst others.

His latest feature Audrey Natalie Bailey’s film debut, starring Hanah Divney launched at SxSW 2024 in the Narrative Competition strand with Bankside Films selling internationally ahead of its Australian premiere at MIFF in August 2024.

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Daniel McDonald

Deaf Advocate

Daniel McDonald is a proud Aboriginal man living with Disability (Deaf) and a member of the LGBTIQA+ community. His mob is from Wonnaura and he grew up in Gadigal Country. Daniel is an experienced MC, presenter and lecturer on topics around First Nation experience of Disability, racism, discrimination, LGBTIQA+ and Life Barriers.

Daniel is the Access and Inclusion Coordinator First Peoples Disability Network. Daniel delivers Welcome to Country introductions for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council in Sydney and he has been a member with Inclusion Disability Advisory Panels at the City of Sydney Council since 2020. Daniel was a Sydney World Pride Champion in 2023 and is actively involved with the LGBTIQA and Disability communities.

Daniel is an emerging visual artist who has been developing his skills since childhood. His business is called Deadly Hand Talk.

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Jack Small

Deaf Camera Operator

As a recent media graduate from NSW TAFE Jack has a passionate interest in film and media. His experience growing up Deaf on the Central Coast, NSW has provided him with a unique experience shaping his skills in the visual medium with a focus on creating surfing videos for his community. 

Over the past 12 months Jack has been proud to be a part of some prominent  film and media productions teams which include working with REVOLVER on ad campaigns for well known brands including: BONDS, ANZ, AAMI and Weetbix. In 2024, Jack was part of the Media team collaborating with Bar TV and Fox Sports to film and produce the Australian Deaf Games.

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Sharon Xabregas

Managing Director Sign Hear

Sharon is a  passionate advocate for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities, with a lifelong dedication to fostering awareness and promoting accessibility and inclusivity in both workplaces and the broader community. Deaf from birth,Sharon has built a career over the past 18 years in disability employment services and Auslan teaching, culminating in the establishment of my own organisation, Sign Hear.

Sign Hear is dedicated to Auslan education, workplace accessibility, Auslan interpreting, and supporting job placement within the Deaf community and NDIS services. Their commitment to excellence has been recognised with Local Business Awards, winning the Specialised Business Award in 2022 and 2023, and we are finalists again for 2024. Sharon was honoured to be a finalist for Business Person of the Year in those same years and has been recognised again as a finalist for 2024.

In addition to her entrepreneurial work, Sharon volunteers with Hear For You, where she supports and mentors school-aged Deaf and hard-of-hearing children to help them navigate challenges related to hearing loss and identity and encourage them to embrace and be an active part of the Deaf community. Sharon also serves as an advisory panelist with The Centre for Volunteering and the City of Sydney, where she advocates for the interests of the Deaf and hard of hearing communities, especially in relation to employment.

Sharon’s advocacy focuses on key issues such as Auslan access, workplace inclusivity, and enhancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and NDIS services. My multifaceted contributions aim to create a more inclusive and accessible city for all

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Jason Potkins

Director Screen Incentives Office for the Arts

Jason Potkins is the Director of the Screen Incentives Section in the Office for the Arts. Jason’s section manages the policy and funding settings that support Australian screen production, including Screen Australia, Ausfilm and the Australian Children’s Television Foundation. The section also manages and delivers the Location Offset, the PDV Offset and the Digital Games Tax Offset as well as the Location Incentive and the Foreign Actors Certification Scheme.

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Joanna Agius OAM

Founder of Deaf Aboriginal Services

Joanna Agius OAM is a profoundly Deaf and proud Narungga woman with connections to Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Wirungu nations in South Australia. Joanna is a strong advocate for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Aboriginal people in Australia, starting as Aboriginal Liaison Officer in Adelaide. 

In 2005, Joanna started teaching Auslan with the late-Barry Priori at South Australia Deaf Society. Joanna then moved to Sydney to teach Auslan and in addition, Joanna coordinated the ‘Signing Art’ program for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Aboriginal people. Joanna is now back in Adelaide and teaches Auslan at TAFE SA. In 2020, Joanna was awarded the Order Medal of Australia (OAM) for services to people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and to the Deaf Aboriginal community. Joanna is founder of Deaf Aboriginal Services, a 100% Aboriginal owned and operated business providing a range of direct services, building capacity between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people, services, and organisations.

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Brandon Fairley

BSF Ambassador, Indigenous actor and advocate

Brandon is an actor, writer, singer and producer and a proud Indigenous Australian of the Yuin Nation living with an invisible disability. I have been involved with community theatre, film and screen for over 8 years participating in 20+ different theatre productions, including Bonnie & Clyde: The Musical as Buck Barrow, Cannibal The Musical: as James Humphrey, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest as Aide Warren and Angels In America Part 1 as Martin Heller and various other roles. I have been involved in the critically acclaimed hit TV show Mr Inbetween and the reboot of the 90’s Aussie show Heartbreak High.  I have been a part of the Bus Stop Films Accessible Film Studies Program for 3 years now and I am absolutely loving it. I have recently been honoured to be a Bus Stop Films Ambassador for Wollongong and I am enjoying the work that is associated with this title. I hope to bring more awareness that is aligned with the core values of this amazing company.I am currently producing a short film with my friends for our film company that we created very recently, and are hoping to make a big impact in the movie scene!

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Louise Yates nee Philip

Actor and PR executive

Louise Philip began her career in 1972 at the age of 15. Following guest appearances in various TV police dramas, towards the end of that year, Louise landed a contracted role with the ABC’s long running drama series Bellbird. However, her early success came to a sudden standstill when in December, she was involved in a car accident, which left her paraplegic. Despite her injury, Louise returned to Bellbird and continued with the series until 1976, making her the first person with a physical disability to hold a regular role on Australian TV. In 1978 Louise joined the regular cast of 7’s top rating drama series Cop Shop and went on to appear in other programs including Beauty and the Beast with host Derryn Hinch and as a presenter for 10’s lifestyle show, Together Tonight. At the 1980 Logie Awards, Louise was a nominee for Best Supporting Actress. After leaving the industry in late 1984, Louise studied journalism, and later established her own PR company which she ran for 15 years. She recently retired as CEO for an environmental education charity.

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Andrew Mercado

Aussie Film & TV Historian

Andrew Mercado is a writer/presenter who specialises in Australian Film and TV pop culture via his YouTube channel TV Icons and the TV Gold podcast.

He has been a regular on shows like Mornings With Kerrie-Anne, Studio 10, A Current Affair and SBS World Movies , and shows he hosted on Foxtel like The Buzz, The Know and The Playlist.

His observations about TV have been published in The Australian Women’s Weekly, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, The Sunday Telegraph, TV Week and TV Soap. 

He currently writes a weekly column for industry website Mediaweek, and a monthly column for gay magazine DNA.

His first book Super Aussie Soaps, a history of Australian TV dramas, was published in 2004. His next book is Outrageous: The Queer History of Australian TV.

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Pip Smart

Producer Revolver

Pip Smart has an impactful history in the industry, having worked at the coalface of commercial and film production as a Producer and Executive Producer for twenty-five years. She is currently Partner and EP at the highly awarded production company Revolver.

She has produced countless high-profile campaigns for some of the world’s best directors including Steve Rogers, Kim Gehrig and Andreas Nilsson to name a very select few. She has contributed to global campaigns for clients including Apple, Supercell, Nike, Heineken, Old Spice, Uber and Tourism Australia amongst many others, which have in turn, received numerous Grand Prix, Gold Lions and other international awards.

Throughout her time at Revolver, Pip has played an integral role in nurturing creative talent within the company, helping to develop and launch many new director’s careers with an acute understanding of creative film making and advertising. Pip has a deep knowledge and understanding of filmmaking, commercial production and ultimately what makes the best work, an understanding that comes from a genuine wealth of experience.

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Josh Griffin

Head of Talent, Development and Inclusion at SBS

Josh Griffin is the Head of Talent, Development and Inclusion at the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), Australia’s multicultural and Indigenous broadcaster. At SBS Josh is responsible for leading a group of cross functional teams across Talent Acquisition, Employee Experience, Diversity & Inclusion, Learning and Development and Leadership Capability.

Josh also acts as an advisor to a number of organisations in both the public and private sectors on how to accelerate diversity and inclusion efforts and to build cultures of vulnerability and cultural capacity. Josh is an accomplished speaker, presenter and MC and is passionate about realising the social and economic benefits of a more inclusive Australia as well as the role that the media sector plays in particular.

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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.

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Seema Dudley

Employment Trainer & Assessor, 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, 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.

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!

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Diana Fisk

Manager of Advocacy and Partnerships Bus Stop Films

Diana is a writer, director and producer, passionate about content that connects communities and challenges audiences. Following the birth of her son, Diana produced True Vision, a documentary that challenges the perceptions around disability, something Diana had experienced firsthand with the birth of her son Alfie, who was born with Nystagmus and Albinism.

Diana has since worked on a range of social impact screen projects including Under Cover, The Show Must Go On, Brazen Hussies and Why Did She Have To Tell The World. Diana has also produced The New Hustle and the recently released documentary series Founder.

Diana was the recipient of Film Victoria’s Key Talent Placement for producing in 2018, and in 2019 became the first recipient of the Screen Australia Enterprise People Fund working alongside Sue Maslin at Film Art Media.

A passionate advocate for gender equality, Diana has been a board member with WIFT Victoria, WIFT Australia, and was founder of the Victorian chapter of Screen Vixens. Diana has also been integral in coordinating various events including the Australian Feature Film Summit, the Raising Films Forum and Time’s Up: A Forum For Change.

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Sarah Jane Johnson

General Manager Bus Stop Employment

Sarah was part of the founding team of Bus Stop Films, jumping on board in 2011. Showing strong commitment to the organisation, in the early days spinning plates as teacher, support worker and filmmaker. Playing a major role in taking Bus Stop Films programs internationally, Sarah forged pathways for inclusion on studio productions both locally and overseas. Winning several awards including recognition as a Producer at TIFF in 2016, Sarah has since built an outstanding career in the film and television industry, with credits under Warner Brothers, Amazon and Netflix productions in Australia and offshore.

While also honing her skills as a seasoned inclusive educator and philanthropist under several social enterprises and disability organisations, Sarah’s knowledge of both the film industry and disability support sectors blends perfectly in leading Bus Stop’s commitment to disability employment in our newly established Bus Stop Employment business unit.

Sarah holds an Associate of Arts: International Relations and Post Grad Certificate – Global Development from UNSW.

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Johanna Garvin

Filmmaker, Advocate & Communications Officer Create NSW

Johanna Garvin completed a Bachelor of Communications and Media at the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2016. She majored in Film and Social Justice.

In 2015 she completed a Diploma of Screen and Media at Metro Screen, which enhanced her understanding of telling stories though film and developed her understanding of important skills, including producing, directing, writing, editing and working collaboratively with a team. In 2016 Johanna did an intership at Screen NSW with the Production Attraction Incentives Team.

In 2017 Johanna’s short film, The Milky Pop Kid - made with funding from Information and Cultural Exchange, Accessible Arts and Screen NSW – was selected to be screened at the Sydney Film Festival, it was Highly Commended and was shown as part of Screenability. The comedic film, made as a ‘mockumentary’ was also selected for the ReelAbilities program in New York City and the Other Film Festival in Melbourne. That same year Johanna started working as the Communications Officer at Create NSW.

Film has been a passion for Johanna since she was a small child. At an early age she discovered the black and white movies of Shirley Temple. This passion continued when she discovered the movies of Elvis Presley – her favorite star. She is still an avid film goer.

A wonderful university lecturer also opened her eyes to documentaries. The documentary format was briefly explored as a media student, where she investigated and featured some important social issues. Although Johanna has embraced the comedy/drama film style, the documentary is something to be undertaken in the future and she certainly has several ideas and lived experiences to share in the documentary format; including her trek to the top of Mt Kosciusko, her semester as an exchange student in Minnesota and her participation in the World Marathon Challenge – traversing seven continents in seven days, making her the first wheelchair competitor to undertake this grueling challenge. Some of these were undertaken as an ambassador and board member of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance.

Johanna sees filmmaking as a vehicle to share stories. Her commitment to Social Justice strongly influences the themes of her films. Johanna’s goal is to share unique and interesting stories that tell us about the human condition, the differences and similarities; the challenges and successes; the good, the bad and the ugly. With this passion she hopes to give audiences films which provide a more compassionate lens through which to see the world.

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Lewis Smith

Bus Stop Employment Member

My name is Lewis Smith I'm 22 years old and I was diagnosed with an intellectual disability during my early years of schooling. I've always been a creative person and grew up loving pretend-play games where I practised different scenarios and experimented using different commentary!  

Developing my creativity and imagination through play supported my communication skills and improved my language ability.

Having joined Bus Stop Films in 2022 I have learnt many new skills about filmmaking, producing and working on set has built my confidence to continue to look for work in the industry and further develop in the workplace.

Having now worked on three short films a feature-length film and a TV production called “Thou Shalt Not Steal” which is due to drop on STAN in October this year - I am convinced this is now my career pathway.

 I also produce and direct my own podcast which is uploaded to Spotify and YouTube every fortnight the podcast is called Twin Times Podcast. 

In 2023 I was selected by the Hon. Amanda Rishworth (Minister for Social Services) to be an Ambassador for International Day of People with Disability. This enabled me to represent the disability community nationally. 

It was a privilege to attend Parliament House in Canberra and share my story with two local newspapers the Bunyip newspaper and the Leader.  

Working with BUS STOP FILMS and embracing the opportunities available to me has build my confidence and self-acceptance, I am now embrace my abilities and challenges rather than disguise them.

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Charlie Smith

Bus Stop Employment Member

Hi, my name is Charlie Smith, and I will be a guest speaker at this year’s Driving Change

Summit

A little bit about me.

When I was little, I was diagnosed with a Mild intellectual disability. In my early years of

school, I needed some support in the classroom to help me learn – I often felt different from the other kids which wasn’t easy! But over time this made me stronger!

During my time at school, I struggled with literacy until I discovered an enjoyment of reading lyrics, practicing reading songs helped my literacy levels improve this eventually led to reading and writing screenplays.

After high school, my brother and I took part in an inclusive filmmaking course called “Bus Stop Films”. Through their employment program, I was able to successfully gain paid employment with Ludo Studios and work on the television production Thou Shalt Not Steal. Last year Minister for Families and Social Services Amanda Rishworth nominated me to be selected as an Ambassador for International Day of People Living with a Disability. This was an incredible experience to be invited to Parliament House for the IDPWD gathering to celebrate and share stories with like-minded people and other IDPWD representatives.

Meeting Curt Fernley and the Minister for the NDIS Bill Shorten was a huge highlight.

Taking part in an inclusive filmmaking course helped me to shift from keeping my disability invisible to openly sharing my journey. I now have a willingness to be open about my experiences which I hope will motivate other individuals facing similar challenges.

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Stephanie Begas

Bus Stop Employment Member

Stephanie Begas is a young filmmaker who has been a student at Bus Stop Films for the past three years, working on various short films and documentaries, some of which have gone on to receive awards. Recently she has been doing some advocacy work, which is something that Steph believes should go hand in hand with filmmaking as films have the ability to inspire change and raise awareness through telling authentic stories. Whilst there is a long way to go in terms of disability representation in the media, Steph is determined to make a difference.

On top of her filmmaking work, she has also delved into journalism and has enjoyed it immensely, whether it be researching topics she feels passionate about for hours or asking the big questions. She recently spoke at the Australlasian CHARGE Conference about her experiences living with CHARGE Syndrome whilst working in the film industry

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