CAPALABA State College student Cameron Gourley has made a documentary about a drummer with autism that has been selected as a finalist in a film maker’s competition.
The year 12 student’s entry Jimmy Morrison: World Class Drummer was one of 209 entries, including 101 from schools and 53 international films.
The films have been submitted in the NOVA Employment 2017 Focus on Ability Short Film Awards.
The Redlands Special School has also produced a film that was selected as a finalist.
In their ninth year, the Focus on Ability Awards are designed to encourage film makers to focus on the ability of people with disability.
Cameron said he wanted to show viewers that people who had a disability were not limited in which they could do.
The documentary is about Jimmy Morrison, a professional drummer from the age of 16, who has autism.
“I chose him because when he is drumming you cannot see that he has a disability and everybody just sees him as a person, without a disability,” Cameron said.
“Even from a young age he overcame his disability and to this day he does not define himself as someone who has a disability, but he instead finds his identity through his ability to drum.
“When he came to Capalaba State College to do a drum clinic, I got the chance to see him play live which inspired me to make this documentary so I could show his talent to other people and so they could get inspired.”
The judge’s choice school documentary award winner receives an appliance package valued at $15,000 and the school film with the online votes receives an entertainment package voucher for $10,000.
Last year, 10 films were screened across SBS, 80 films aired on Foxtel through Aurora TV, and the festival held screenings in New York, Melbourne, Adelaide, Auckland and Sydney.
The Redlands Special School’s film is online here.
Founder of the awards, NOVA Employment chief executive officer Martin Wren said they have had 500,000 online votes in the awards over the years.
“I’m glad FOA strikes a chord. It changes attitudes about people with disability and this is important because it’s the first step towards an inclusive society,” he said.
Online voting closes on August 7 and voters go in the running to win a $50 iTunes voucher every day.
Voters can vote once in each of five categories:
- Australia and New Zealand schools documentary
- Australia and New Zealand schools short film
- Australian open documentary
- Australian open short film
- International award
Winners will announced at a red carpet gala awards night in Sydney on September 6.
For information on the film awards, visit focusonability.com.au.
