Bevan, by Bevan & Rinta (Australia, 2023), is a short film included in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. It explores achievement, motivation and perception around congenital and intellectual disability, including Down syndrome. With themes of martial arts, training and mental health, the film offers a positive look at adult experience and individual capability. Its quiet moments invite audiences to reconsider assumptions and appreciate different viewpoints. Presented as part of our festival, Bevan contributes to a broader conversation about ability, resilience and daily practice without relying on easy answers. A thoughtful, uplifting piece that prompts reflection.
My name is Hervin Guazo. I am 41 years old and I have Down syndrome. Having Down syndrome is a part of me, but it is not my whole identity. There are many more interesting things about me, like my passion for martial arts and martial arts films. And my dream is to make a martial arts film one day. It affects me a lot. A lot and a lot. As I have said, I have a dream, like seeing myself with Down syndrome. I ask questions of myself. I look at myself in the mirror. I look at myself as if I am not normal. But now I feel much better about myself. Doing the things I love, like martial arts and film study has been amazing. Having the nice people around me helps me a lot too. There are a lot of heroes. Ben Demp, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Steven Seagal, Chuck Norris and others out there. Bruce Lee is my favourite martial arts hero because he was strong, disciplined and kick-ass. He had great vision and made an awesome film. When I watch him, it's like my eyes are wide open. I think to myself, yes, I want to follow in his footsteps. I started Wing Chun with Rick Speight at Redbird Kung Fu. What I like about Rick Speight is that I don't train with him. He makes me feel special. He makes me feel like a good person. I train hard by listening to him. Everything he says, he says to me, come on, be like Superman. I've done it. One, two, I'm getting stronger, I'm getting stronger. He likes that. Everything in my mind, I do everything he says. That's really great. He makes me feel better, makes me a better person. He has positive values, positive thinking. He makes me feel smart, that's all. Hi guys, I've been training with Bevan for how long now? Maybe 18 months, maybe less. What I admire about Bevan is that nothing's too hard. What he's very passionate about is Kung Fu. It's always a pleasure and an honour. I find it quite inspirational training with him. We've become good friends and I look forward to a great training future together. I think marginalised is something anyone can do. It doesn't matter about your age or if you have ADHD or not. Marginalised doesn't judge. As long as you are willing to work hard and practicing, you can do anything. I would love to encourage other people to start training because it has been a great influence on me and my mental health.
Filmmaker
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38 comments
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John Riley22/08/2023
Great work mate keep it up. Very inspiring and look forward to your movie. All the best
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Lee Spendlove22/08/2023
Great work Bevan Rinta Can't wait to watch your Martial arts film one day.
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Norel Long19/08/2023
Well done Bevan keep achieving your goals.. Like father like son.
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Blade Vexar18/08/2023
Outstanding work bro. You have a passion for your martial arts not unlike your father's passion for his inkwork. Keep it up mate cos you'll go places that's for sure. Respect.
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Sky Williams18/08/2023
Loved seeing this Bevan great job My kiddo loves Martial Arts too
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Snow Maurice18/08/2023
Great work Bevan staunch like ya father...
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Shirley Horne18/08/2023
Absolutely loved your film and you are an inspiration to others. Keep up the good fight and hope to have the privilege of watching a movie of yours in the future. Lots of respect Bevan
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Greg Winnell18/08/2023
Well done Beven enjoyed watching good luck mate
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Greg Winnell18/08/2023
Well done Beven enjoyed watching good luck mate
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Warren Hadden18/08/2023
Legend young man
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Scott Graham18/08/2023
Very inspirational keep up the good training Bevan
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Soup Van Uden18/08/2023
Awesome movie great to see some following there dreams and having a true go. Well done Bevan.
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Neil Grant18/08/2023
Youve got my vote Bevan good on ya kick arse
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Angelo Garozzo18/08/2023
Love you Bevan and I am so proud of you more than words can describe.Keep on going youre gonna kick assLove you
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Jasmine Cook17/08/2023
Teach me. I can do it Bloodsport Jean Claude Van Damme.Very inspiring Bev All the best with your short film. Looking forward to seeing more of the films you make in the future.From Jasmine Garrett Harlow and Ryda xoxo
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Agnes Roberts17/08/2023
Way to go Bevan I voted for you
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Jessica Smith17/08/2023
Martial Arts dont judge Excellent work Bevan - and nice moves
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Jarrad Simpson17/08/2023
Brilliant Bev love it mate. Youre doing great work.
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Edith Roberts17/08/2023
Well done Bevan this film is excellent and I wish you all the best of luck in this competition you certainly deserve it
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Rosalva Haig17/08/2023
Congradulations Beven this is a great short video you made you explained yourself and your passion in all you do so well I am so proud of of what you have accomplished your effects and hard work your determination has payed off. H ope you continue to believe in yourself and never give up . Hugs and kisses from your Auntie.xxxx
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Karolina Kajfes16/08/2023
Keep up the training Bevan youre doing great
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Venessa V16/08/2023
Amazing Bev I am so proud of you everything you have achieved and for making this film. So many people will be inspired by this film sending love of love
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Kirby Reinke16/08/2023
This is great Bevan An awesome message to share. Good on you
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Kate Dunlop16/08/2023
Such a inspirational video Bevan
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Rebecca Phillips16/08/2023
Awesome Bevan was great to watch Very inspiring
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Natalie Warner16/08/2023
Well done Bev so proud of you. Good luck Love and hugs xxoo
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Marcel V16/08/2023
Im proud of the person you are and all that you have achieved. Well done Bevan
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Amanda Park16/08/2023
This is really awesome Bevan you're doing so well keep up the training you look like you're made for Martial arts. I'd love to see more of what interests you have. Well done.
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Camille Taylor16/08/2023
Excellent film Bevan great to see you made this film. You are so good at martial arts. Also a great inspiration to other people to have a go.
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Crystal vokac16/08/2023
What a legend Bevan is what a great film
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Crystal vokac16/08/2023
What a legend Bevan is
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Pam Clarke16/08/2023
Great work Bevan. I could feel your passion for martial arts being expressed through your words. I love that you pursue your passion.
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Sonia Garozzo16/08/2023
Great doco Bev.. very inspirational. You should be very proud of yourself your achievements. Xx
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Ben Faulkner16/08/2023
Awesome film Bevan. Youre a natural in front of the camera look forward to seeing more
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Rebecca Garozzo16/08/2023
I'm a proud little sister I love you Bev
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Josh C16/08/2023
I really loved watching this Bev. Love you heaps man you continue to impress me with how well you pick up new skills and techniquesAmazing work legend
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Claudia Phillips16/08/2023
What a brilliant film Bevan Feeling very moved by this and inspired to try martial arts after seeing the wonderful impact it has had on your life. Keep making films
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Damon Gibbs16/08/2023
Great Movie Bevan and Rinta Really awesome Bevan keep up the training and positivity You looked great on camera. Feel free to check our movie Clayton in the same section. Good luck guys
Great work mate keep it up. Very inspiring and look forward to your movie. All the best
Great work Bevan Rinta Can't wait to watch your Martial arts film one day.
Well done Bevan keep achieving your goals.. Like father like son.
Outstanding work bro. You have a passion for your martial arts not unlike your father's passion for his inkwork. Keep it up mate cos you'll go places that's for sure. Respect.
Loved seeing this Bevan great job My kiddo loves Martial Arts too
Great work Bevan staunch like ya father...
Absolutely loved your film and you are an inspiration to others. Keep up the good fight and hope to have the privilege of watching a movie of yours in the future. Lots of respect Bevan
Well done Beven enjoyed watching good luck mate
Well done Beven enjoyed watching good luck mate
Legend young man
Very inspirational keep up the good training Bevan
Awesome movie great to see some following there dreams and having a true go. Well done Bevan.
Youve got my vote Bevan good on ya kick arse
Love you Bevan and I am so proud of you more than words can describe.Keep on going youre gonna kick assLove you
Teach me. I can do it Bloodsport Jean Claude Van Damme.Very inspiring Bev All the best with your short film. Looking forward to seeing more of the films you make in the future.From Jasmine Garrett Harlow and Ryda xoxo
Way to go Bevan I voted for you
Martial Arts dont judge Excellent work Bevan - and nice moves
Brilliant Bev love it mate. Youre doing great work.
Well done Bevan this film is excellent and I wish you all the best of luck in this competition you certainly deserve it
Congradulations Beven this is a great short video you made you explained yourself and your passion in all you do so well I am so proud of of what you have accomplished your effects and hard work your determination has payed off. H ope you continue to believe in yourself and never give up . Hugs and kisses from your Auntie.xxxx
Keep up the training Bevan youre doing great
Amazing Bev I am so proud of you everything you have achieved and for making this film. So many people will be inspired by this film sending love of love
This is great Bevan An awesome message to share. Good on you
Such a inspirational video Bevan
Awesome Bevan was great to watch Very inspiring
Well done Bev so proud of you. Good luck Love and hugs xxoo
Im proud of the person you are and all that you have achieved. Well done Bevan
This is really awesome Bevan you're doing so well keep up the training you look like you're made for Martial arts. I'd love to see more of what interests you have. Well done.
Excellent film Bevan great to see you made this film. You are so good at martial arts. Also a great inspiration to other people to have a go.
What a legend Bevan is what a great film
What a legend Bevan is
Great work Bevan. I could feel your passion for martial arts being expressed through your words. I love that you pursue your passion.
Great doco Bev.. very inspirational. You should be very proud of yourself your achievements. Xx
Awesome film Bevan. Youre a natural in front of the camera look forward to seeing more
I'm a proud little sister I love you Bev
I really loved watching this Bev. Love you heaps man you continue to impress me with how well you pick up new skills and techniquesAmazing work legend
What a brilliant film Bevan Feeling very moved by this and inspired to try martial arts after seeing the wonderful impact it has had on your life. Keep making films
Great Movie Bevan and Rinta Really awesome Bevan keep up the training and positivity You looked great on camera. Feel free to check our movie Clayton in the same section. Good luck guys