Stella: I Am Not Your Inspiration

“Stella” the documentary addresses the issues of disability rights and inclusion. Specifically, it holds the issue of “inspiration porn” up to a critical light. Stella Young argued that being an object of inspiration was just as humiliating as being an object of pity, for a disabled person. She campaigned actively against the concept, and gave a TED talk addressing it. Stella was a feminist as well as a disability activist. She campaigned for greater awareness of violence against women. Disabled women are statistically more likely to experience intimate partner violence and Stella understood that this was part of the experience of being a young woman with disability. This understanding came from personal experience. This documentary will also allow younger activists, whether they be feminists or disability activists ,to become familiar with a key person, who used direct action, and humour to change the lives of disabled people.

Stella Young was an important role model for young women and girls – especially women with disabilities. Stella popularised the concept of inspiration porn where disability is used to inspire non disabled people to do better. Stella used comedy to make her message heard around the world and this film will highlight the ongoing impact of Stella’s life and work. Stella had a brilliant mind and wit and a decade after her sudden death at just 32 we need to highlight her achievements and shine a light on her accomplishments – as well as remembering just how funny she was. There are very few role models for young disabled women and Stella wa sone of the best. This feature documentary about her life and work will be an important reference for decades to come and is a vital cultural contribution to Australia’s diversity.

Ten years after Stella Young’s death, young people know of her but they don’t know enough about her. This will be the definitive documentary that highlights the important contribution Stella made to Australian cultural discourse in the early part of this century. Too often the contributions of important women are not recorded and remembers especially when they come from marginalised grounds such as people with disabilities. This film interrogates how we view disability using Stella’s trademark with and intellect. It is a vital cultural contribution made by her contemporaries accessing a huge private archival collection of Stella’s early work on community television.

Writer/ Director Sarah Barton is an internationally recognised ally of the disability community who was a close friend and colleague of Stella Young’s for more than a decade. Sarah made many episodes of the community television series ‘No Limits’ with Stella and they had a close personal friendship. Sarah has the trust of Stella’s closest family and friends who have given her deep access to her subject, and their personal archive of home movies and family snapshots. Sarah also has a huge archive of her own footage of Stella from their time spent doing community television together.

This film is about changing hearts and minds and reminding people of who Stella was and what impact she made in her lifetime. Its a reminder of how inclusion, diversity and access are an evolving part of society. There are no direct calls to action but it is a film that will have a positive impact on all who see it. The film also uses humour to engage with its audience.