Wonderous Felines, from Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School (Australia, 2023), is a short film presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. Rather than a specific plot summary, this film is highlighted for its attention to themes including ADHD, autism, school life, individuality and the gentle presence of cats. It offers a personal, everyday perspective on childhood and adolescence, and the small relationships that matter. The work invites audiences to reflect on ability, difference and belonging without prescribing a single reading. A warm, thoughtful contribution from a school community that fits the festival’s aim to showcase diverse experiences of people with disability.
cats, majestic creatures that appear in households all over the world. So let's dive in to see what we can learn about the cats. Where did cats come from and where it all began in this documentary? So cats came in ancient Egypt from a being called Felis Silvestris. It means cat of the woods and it's a middle eastern wild cat. The process began up to 12,000 years ago. I have one too and he's in this very room right now and I'd like to say a few words about him. His name is Jupiter. He's a bit hungry sometimes and can be a bit mean but I still love him. He gives the best hugs and cuddles. There's even some photos of me hugging him. I like to pick him up too and tuck him into his bed. I think Jupiter wants a cuddle. He put his paws out for you. He's reaching. Give him a little scratch. They see them by their eyes but we do not know what they're made of. In fact this is the first question I said about Jupiter. What are Jupiter's eyes made of? That was the first question I ever asked. Here's one fact about a cat. They have whiskers. Whiskers help a cat identify if the passageway is too big or too small. So if his whiskers hit the tunnel he knows he won't fit but if his whiskers don't hit the tunnel he knows he will fit. That's how whiskers identify how big the tunnel is. Even though humans don't have whiskers we are still very intelligent beings nonetheless. Cats probably see us as especially clumsy which most of us are by cat standards. Okay I guess we'll go see you then. Hey mum look. Okay I guess we'll go see you at our home I guess. Cats surely love you when they lick you. It is also a grooming mechanism for infant cats and I quite like Jupiter for his fur. I love to cuddle him and he even cuddles me in the middle of the night and warms my feet. Cats are often thought of as being independent creatures who are happy in their own company but your cat can get lonely interacting with humans. Their love helps to enrich their lives and you and cats show they love you when they sleep next to you.
Filmmaker
Sir Eric Woodward Memorial School is the filmmaker behind this entry.
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20 comments
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Sammy Gunner7/09/2023
Wow Leon that was so captivating. You are a brilliant film maker and voice over and not to mention clearly very loved by Jupiter Keep shining bright
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Sarita Norton25/08/2023
Well done Leon
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Siobhn Austin24/08/2023
Leon - I loved learning that cats hug and they want to sleep next to peopleThey love. Thats real trust. What lovely friends you are.
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Rosie Meader23/08/2023
Congratulations
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Calum Green23/08/2023
That was an absolute delight Leon I love how Jupiter the cat made you curious enough to ask your first question. I agree that us humans are very clumsy by cat's standards
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Maggie Ralston23/08/2023
Leon you have made a lovely film It is full of interesting information affection and love. Thank you for the story you have bought to life
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Pappas Julie23/08/2023
Thankyou Leon I learnt something new today from your film. Keep up the great work
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Claire Fearon22/08/2023
What a beautiful little film Leon. Informative and emotive. And your script and narration are both excellent. Very well done.
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Michelle Lee22/08/2023
Well done Leon A wonderful film sharing some interesting facts and showing us your special bond with Jupiter
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Sarah Phipps21/08/2023
As a fellow cat-lover I found this so fascinating thanks Leon I look forward to showing Chelsea and Winston -
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Stephen Jurd21/08/2023
Leon thank you for teaching me more about cats. You have us a wonderfully loving loving depiction of Jupiter. Well done
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Marianne Aberline19/08/2023
Leon what an epic achievement. To create and narrate your own film. My cat Winston must love me most because he always chooses to sleep next to me. I cant wait to see and hear more in the fire. Love Mrs Aberline
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Niki Grill19/08/2023
Leon Your work is brilliant I loved earning about cats and the beautiful relationship you have with with Jupiter. Five stars
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Bec Glasscock18/08/2023
Classy work Leon I loved how informative you were the beautiful bond you Jupiter have. XX
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Belinda G18/08/2023
What a wonderful film youve made Leon And I learnt something new about cats whiskers Congratulations to you and hopefully you will keep making films. Perhaps Jupiter can continue to be your assistant.
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Jennifer Rose17/08/2023
Congratulations Leon on Wondrous Felines. I am inspired to expand our film festival program to invite young film makers like you to join next year. Your creative thinking storytelling and appreciation of wonder in nature and life are essential qualities for film makers. I look forward to experiencing more of your work and celebrate you and your dedication to developing the many skills and creative ideas needed for film making. You can be very proud of your work with such a thoughtful film to help expand the thinking of your audiences. Bravo keep shining bright The world needs people exactly like you to help share its beauty through awe delight and appreciation.
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Rachel van Eldik16/08/2023
Great film Leon well done I loved your narration so expressive. X
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Dan Balcaban16/08/2023
Wonderful work Leon You taught me so much more about cats than I have ever seen before. Your narration was spot on and well done. It was lovely to see the relationship you also have with your cute furry friend. Well done
R
Rebecca Schade16/08/2023
Brilliant filming performing and narration Leon And Jupiter I loved that I learned a new fact about whiskers too. Well done.
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Shey Lyn Zanotti16/08/2023
Wonderful film Leon It is great to see Jupiter be the star he is
Wow Leon that was so captivating. You are a brilliant film maker and voice over and not to mention clearly very loved by Jupiter Keep shining bright
Well done Leon
Leon - I loved learning that cats hug and they want to sleep next to peopleThey love. Thats real trust. What lovely friends you are.
Congratulations
That was an absolute delight Leon I love how Jupiter the cat made you curious enough to ask your first question. I agree that us humans are very clumsy by cat's standards
Leon you have made a lovely film It is full of interesting information affection and love. Thank you for the story you have bought to life
Thankyou Leon I learnt something new today from your film. Keep up the great work
What a beautiful little film Leon. Informative and emotive. And your script and narration are both excellent. Very well done.
Well done Leon A wonderful film sharing some interesting facts and showing us your special bond with Jupiter
As a fellow cat-lover I found this so fascinating thanks Leon I look forward to showing Chelsea and Winston -
Leon thank you for teaching me more about cats. You have us a wonderfully loving loving depiction of Jupiter. Well done
Leon what an epic achievement. To create and narrate your own film. My cat Winston must love me most because he always chooses to sleep next to me. I cant wait to see and hear more in the fire. Love Mrs Aberline
Leon Your work is brilliant I loved earning about cats and the beautiful relationship you have with with Jupiter. Five stars
Classy work Leon I loved how informative you were the beautiful bond you Jupiter have. XX
What a wonderful film youve made Leon And I learnt something new about cats whiskers Congratulations to you and hopefully you will keep making films. Perhaps Jupiter can continue to be your assistant.
Congratulations Leon on Wondrous Felines. I am inspired to expand our film festival program to invite young film makers like you to join next year. Your creative thinking storytelling and appreciation of wonder in nature and life are essential qualities for film makers. I look forward to experiencing more of your work and celebrate you and your dedication to developing the many skills and creative ideas needed for film making. You can be very proud of your work with such a thoughtful film to help expand the thinking of your audiences. Bravo keep shining bright The world needs people exactly like you to help share its beauty through awe delight and appreciation.
Great film Leon well done I loved your narration so expressive. X
Wonderful work Leon You taught me so much more about cats than I have ever seen before. Your narration was spot on and well done. It was lovely to see the relationship you also have with your cute furry friend. Well done
Brilliant filming performing and narration Leon And Jupiter I loved that I learned a new fact about whiskers too. Well done.
Wonderful film Leon It is great to see Jupiter be the star he is