Storytelling as Advocacy: TOFF x St Kilda Film Festival

Screening, Q&A and the Lesley Hall Award Announcement

Join us for a Disability-led inclusive storytelling event where you will get to enjoy:

• Presentation of Lesley Hall Arts and Disability Scholarship 2026
• Screening of short films by Deaf and disabled filmmakers
• Q&A panel session

Tickets are free – just make sure to register to reserve your spot online via TryBooking.

Where: St Kilda Town Hall, 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda

When: Sunday 7 June, 1 – 2:30 pm (duration 90 min)

More info on the St Kilda Film Festival website.

About the Lesley Hall Arts and Disability Scholarship

Arts Access Victoria (AAV) manages the Lesley Hall Scholarship – an annual program for Victorian Deaf and Disabled artists and advocates. The scholarship is a $5,000 grant.

Through this scholarship, AAV honours the activism and legacy of their late Board Chair Lesley Hall. Lesley was a tireless advocate for the human rights of Deaf and Disabled people. She became famous for protesting the Miss Australia Quest in 1981. And she influenced the formation of the NDIS, amongst many other achievements.

Apply for the Lesley Hall Arts and Disability Scholarship on our website.

Short Films: Storytelling as Advocacy (screening program + Q+A)

Short Films can be powerful tools for transformation. Aligning with the disability rights movement and a long history of advocacy. As demonstrated by the life and legacy of proud disabled advocate Lesley Hall.

Storytelling in short films can be an act of reclaiming power, sharing experiences and shifting ideologies. A way to disrupt assumptions and re-set stereotypes.

We invite a selection of Deaf and Disabled filmmakers from the St Kilda Film Festival Top Shorts Competition to share their invaluable insights and experiences after a screening of their wonderful films.

This accessible session will be:

• open-captioned, will feature
• Auslan interpretation for the talks and Q&A

Screening Program

Dark Matter
Director Leo Berkeley / Writer: Leo Berkeley
Producer Leo Berkeley

So Beautiful
Director Sofya Gollan / Writer: Sofya Gollan
Producer Rebecca Janek

The Bear Hunt
Director Lily Drummond / Writer: Lily Drummond, Natalie Orrico
Producer Sarah Moulton

Eye of the Game
Director Ramas McRae / Writer: Ramas McRae
Producer Adam Bigum

This event is in partnership with The St Kilda Film Festival.