Is There Anybody Out There director Ella Glendining is among a delegation of disabled filmmakers the BFI is set to send to this year’s International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR). 

The full cohort also includes production and development exec Anna Keeley (Love Lies Bleeding), Inclusivity Films founder Sarah Leigh, and Chilean-born, Welsh-based filmmaker Cristián Saavedra. The quartet will participate in IFFR Pro’s CineMart co-production forum and Talent Development initiatives and attend the Pro Hub programme of industry discussions, workshops, and mentoring meetings.

The BFI has said the trip is supported by the BFI International Fund and is the first time it has focused solely on Disabled talent at a festival or market. The BFI and IFFR teams have collaborated to prioritize access for the filmmakers. 

“We are excited to work in collaboration with the BFI International Fund to create more equitable opportunities for UK-based Disabled filmmakers to enter the international film market, and have found a great partnership with the IFFR team,” BFI Inclusion Manager Bhavini Goyate said in a statement. 

“We look forward to supporting Ella, Anna, Cristián, and Sarah, four brilliant filmmakers, so they can make the most of the fantastic opportunities offered by IFFR Pro.”

Marten Rabarts, Head of IFFR Pro, added: “IFFR Pro is especially thrilled to welcome this delegation of filmmakers from the UK to participate in the wide range of professional opportunities we present. We recognize the BFI’s leadership in changing the dial on inclusion for film production and for film festivals – especially in their commitment to breaking down structural barriers for disabled filmmakers. This visit also gives us an opportunity to knowledge-share with our peer colleagues as we strive to improve inclusion for our own event in Rotterdam and in the wider international film industry.”

International Film Festival Rotterdam runs from Jan 30 – Feb 9.