THE BLIND SEA

EDUCATION: Research, create and produce an educational and teaching resource to be available in Australian schools and vocational avenue. We wish to bring Australian stories of accessibility, inspiration and inclusion to a younger audience through education.
TOUR: Facilitate further private, public screenings with cast and crew hosting engaging Q&A sessions. Opening conversations and creating an active dialogue of disability in Australian mainstream stories.
ACCESSIBILITY: Host screenings for low vision audiences, utilising the productions high end audio description and closed caption assets available.
PARTICIPATE: Align with like-minded organisations and collaborate on events, panels and discussions promoting accessibility and inclusion.
MARKET: Build community, screen the documentary overseas and connect with an international market to proudly showcase Australian stories, creating pathways for industry and share the conversation around diversity and inclusion worldwide.

Approximately 20% of the Australian population identify as living with a disability and are often told they can’t do things, which restricts them from having control over their lives and limits them from going after their wildest dreams. Our hope is to use the film to drive conversation and unite people from all walks of life, through a national screening tour that includes Q&As with Matt Formston and Director Daniel Fenech, inspiring a change in perceptions, advocating for para-surfing recognition, raising awareness about blind athletes’ challenges and emphasising that determination knows no bounds, regardless of one’s disabilities an individual can be empowered to chase their goals.

We hope that those who have felt the pain and fear of their diagnosis have the opportunity to see the many role models in our film, to give them hope and empower them to reclaim their life. We use surfing as the vehicle in our film, and although we strongly believe in the healing benefits of the ocean this film is also about finding your tribe, connecting with a community and ultimately discovering your purpose.

Matt our key participant is blind (3% vision) is involved in many Blind, Blind Sports Australia, and multiple Diversity and Inclusion boards and organisations. All of whom are eager to support the film when it is released; our key partners being Vision Australia, Blind Sports Australia and Surfing Australia.

“There is no such thing as can’t”. There are no barriers only obstacles, and with an obstacle you can go over or around it, but don’t let it stop you.
We hope to inspire those with a disability looking for the confidence to try new things and to push and believe in themselves.