About this Short Film
Saturdays, by Angela Blake and Bus Stop Films (Australia, 2022), is a short film that shares the perspectives of adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities, including Down syndrome. The film reflects on creativity, connection and the small moments that shape daily life. With sensitivity and warmth, Saturdays contributes to conversations about representation in filmmaking and showcases the abilities and friendships of its participants. Presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it sits alongside works that celebrate achievement, challenge assumptions and broaden audience understanding of disability. A thoughtful, human film that invites viewers to listen and learn.
Film Details
Film Transcript
Hi Mick, how are you doing?
Yeah. Not really, it's just rush. I brushed it. Yes.
Hi, I'm Angela Blake and I work in the film industry and I'm also the online accessible filmmaking tutor for bus stop films. My class and I are from all around Australia. We meet each week via Zoom for three hours every Saturday and I teach them filmmaking.
Hello everyone. My name is Jacob Baldell and I'm 19 years old and I live in Saint Mary's, in the north‑east side of Tasmania. I live with my lovely family: my mum, my sister and my dad, who is my best friend. I make comics, animations and art and publish them on social medias. My ambition is to make a career in animation.
Hi, my name is Alana. I'm 34 years old and this is a little bit about me. I live in Albury Wodonga. My hobbies are the performing arts and creative arts, and when I'm not doing my hobbies I take on the role of a public speaker and advocate for people with disabilities.
Hi, my name is Devin. I'm 40 years old. Yeah, I know scary films and the movies study happen, marginalitis a different martial artists. This is my favourite collection of films. My dreams is becoming film director and Fight Club performance director.
The three hours that I teach every Saturday are three of the best hours of my week. I just adore my students. I love everything about our class and I feel so blessed to be working for bus stop films, who I think are one of the top organisations in Australia.
I started bus stop films since 2021. Through this course I learned a lot about filming and script writing that helped me make my animations look better. Right now I study at birthstone field; I really love it. They helped me study filming, directors and also give me a chance to get job opportunity.
The reasons I joined bus stop films: I want to learn screenwriting. I once played a director and then I actually wanted to learn how to be a director. I would love to work on a set to shoot a short film, as I think that everyone has a story to tell. With editing help with Joe and my tutor Angela, last year I helped write a script for a class film The Society experiment, which was picked up by this dumpling Film Festival. See you — we are going to make a new film and I hope it's going to be great.
Perfect. Thank you, guys. Have a great week and I'll see you next Saturday. Bye, everyone.
Because I was born autistic, my mind works really fast, so I think through pictures. It's hard to vocalise and remember, but that doesn't stop me from achieving my goals.
Evan finishes off with a question and then we're going.
Filmmaker
Angela Blake & Bus Stop Films is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Angela Blake & Bus Stop Films.
A sweet sweet film about an inspiring bunch of filmmakers. We can all learn from their ambition and dedication. And based on this film their skill
What interesting creatives. I would love to visit Jacob the animator's neck of the woods. I love the mural he filmed with his iPhone. I also have a soft spot for the very warm and articulate Alana from Albury-Wodonga I hope she gets to speak on larger platforms as an advocate for those with disabilities. I looove Bevan and how passionate he is about martial art films. I hope he gets the opportunity to direct a film with skilled martial art talent. A wonderful initiative. Thanks for sharing some of your Saturday with me.
Such a lovely feel good watch. I was focused on the individual not their challenge.Hopefully their funding continues so there are more individuals that can express themselves in this way.