PRESS RELEASE
The NSW Young Australian of the Year, 100 women of influence winner, former Tropfest winner and co-founder of Bus Stop Films, Genevieve Clay-Smith, is premiering a new short film Heartbreak & Beauty at the Chauvel Theatre on Oxford Street, Sydney on 21st February, 2015.
Created with and starring 12 young people living with intellectual disability, the film follows their experiences of love, loss and hope, through poetry, visual metaphor and dance.
As a non-profit organisation, Bus Stop’s mission is to create an inclusive film and television industry, where people of all backgrounds can contribute to Australia’s creative and economic landscape.
Approximately 3% of all Australians have an Intellectual disability.
“People with a disability face a number of barriers to inclusion, especially in the workforce, with a 20% unemployment rate,” says Genevieve.
“Bus Stop opens the door to a notoriously closed off industry, creating opportunities for people with a disability with the aim of building a stronger and healthier industry,” say Genevieve.
Heartbreak & Beauty follows a run of success for Bus Stop with their last project The Interviewer receiving international critical acclaim, winning over 30 awards and going viral in Europe. Both short films will be shown on the night.
His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret'd), Governor of New South Wales, will be in attendance on the night, to support the work of Bus Stop Films.
Bus Stop Films produced Heartbreak & Beauty in partnership with Sydney Community College. The project was funded by the office of Family and Community Services, a Department of the New South Wales Government.