About this Short Film
Never Stopped Believin, directed by Ben Rosenberg (Australia, 2025), is presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival. The short examines themes around congenital disability, Deaf and hearing difference, intellectual and physical disability, sensory difference and mobility support, with musical elements woven through. It gestures towards group life and teenage experience, using song as a means of connection and expression. Shot with warmth and attention, the piece sits comfortably among films that celebrate ability, resilience and creativity. Audiences can expect a thoughtful, human glimpse into the ways young people with diverse needs find voice, community and joy.
Film Details
Film Transcript
[Music]
I'm starting a song from scratch and it's like an idea I had 18 years ago when K was born. It's a song I never really finished. I just had this one line: why would I write a song for my baby girl if she can't hear it? It sort of came to me one day and I was like, oh yeah, that's interesting. And then the next part was kind of like, I'll just write one anyway because I just have this weird crazy faith that maybe someday she'll hear it. You just don't know.
She might sleep for about three hours and then wake up and be awake probably all night. There's a baby cam here, so if she wakes up I can hear her, you know, just to make sure that everything's all right. When I hear her blowing raspberries, I usually know that she's, you know, fine — everything's good, she's happy.
[Music]
Hi. She just misses school. There's just a lot of energy, a lot of action, and even her friends. Now she doesn't get to see really many of her friends. Everyone's really busy. I guess my hope is that we find those things, that we break through and find those things that she really loves.
There's an ongoing raspberry that we think just means she's content and it kind of always — it's like a soundtrack to our life. It's a happy one too, of excitement. Oh yeah, there's an extra happy one and it's kind of like, yeah, this is your average raspberry.
Chloe, stop littering. I bet you, in a weird way, Chloe's probably happier than us. Put it on her. You should put it on her head, because there's an innocence there that she doesn't know. Big steps. Oh, that's a girl.
I have a little girl who's deaf and I'm writing songs for her because that's just the way it is. I'm just tapping into that deep desire within me for things to be right and for — for — for heaven, I suppose you could say. Yeah, that's what you're doing. You're longing for heaven.
Why would I write a song for my baby girl if she can't hear it? No, she'll never hear it. I'll write a song anyway for my baby girl because she can feel it. Oh, she can feel it. I've got to keep on believing.
[Music]
Someday, God's perfect timing — the song will be heard by a girl who can't hear, and I'll be glad. I never stopped believing.
Little special children, they bring it out of you. That's heavenly love and it brings you into that place. So that's what Chloe does.
Cloud. That cloud looks cool. All clouds are cool, except the angry ones that rain on them. I know. Oh, there's a helicopter. Where? There's a helicopter.
Filmmaker
Ben Rosenberg is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Ben Rosenberg.
I love the bond your family shares and the joy expressed in several shots of the documentary . Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing this intimate insight into your familys life Ben love how in tune you are with each other and your connection. Im not sure if it would be accessible to you or your daughter but there is something called a music vibration vest which might assist with the sharing of your music. Best wishes.
Thanks Ben this is very honest and loving I think. Certainly gives insight into what your girl is going through Stay good. Love from a fellow contestant.