About this Short Film
F.O.A. (Australia, 2025) by Neville Hiatt uses stop motion to explore themes of individual experience and mental health. The film relies on tactile animation and quiet rhythms to create a reflective mood, inviting viewers to consider the varied ways people live with and respond to mental health challenges. Short and intimate, F.O.A. sits well within the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival programme, offering a sensitive, craft-driven contribution to stories about ability and resilience. It is a thoughtful piece that highlights the power of form and texture to convey feeling, and it shows how animation can open new conversations around mental health.
Film Details
Film Transcript
No transcript is available for this film.
Filmmaker
Neville Hiatt is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Neville Hiatt.
Your short film is an inspiring celebration of strength and resilience. Congratulations Neville on shining a colourful and cheery light on invisible disabilities with such honesty and care. Its a reminder to accept ourselves and others that there is a place for each of us and to find joy in the everyday moments of life
Great inspiration film you've made. Luca my son loves it so much. Keep doing it more films Neville.
Fantastic effort and a great message Nev way to go
Amazing message Neville You've done such a beautiful job creating this film and the song is fantastic too
I found this film so powerful so clever in the use of varying media formats to expose myths masking truth. The music and wording broke my heart with is ability to so powerfully reflect the damaging effect of human reasoning limiting people. I loved the overall childrens format. It reminded me how life lived in simplicity creates room for everyone and out of that many inventions were birthed because people dared to be different and used their abilities. Very touching very clever deserving of honour in all the abilities it took to compose and tell a story. Congratulations
Great and valuable sentiment thanks loved...Don.
that was beautiful uncle nev
Love this With someone in our family who has severe disability this song speaks truth into the experience both for the individual and those whose life he touches.
What a beautiful short video scenery amazing with so much impact. Well done
Great job. Had my eye on that little fella with the balloon. Was greatly relieved when he finally got in the balloon basket. All well put together.
Your creation really moved me Neville. Thank you for the representation and a lovely chat after dinner. I hope your work makes a difference. It matters
I enjoyed the mosiac the music and how all abilities have their own a failty not just those which others can see have an obvious challenged ability.
Verry well structured. Best of luck
Well done Neville. Film and song.
This is beautiful Bev
Great job Neville well done very encouraging
Great film Nev Love the quality of your work mate
The music and video went well together. The mosaic was beautifully done. IRL
Beautiful loved the song loved the clip
Beautiful special gift to us all.
Well done Neville lovely short film.
Really good work Nev l can't get the beautiful song out of my head. Cheers
Fantastic Nev. Love the message via song.
Well done Neville l loved it.
The song in this film made me cry The words are so incredibly touching Thank you for speaking to so many through your film
Really enjoyed this film. I really liked the message the words and the music. The animation was really well done and will share with many friends. Well done Neville.