by FilmInk Staff
Award-winning inclusive filmmaking social enterprise, Bus Stop Films has been invited to attend The International Forum of Disabled People’s Arts and Culture International Festival to be held in Shiga, Japan, from February 7 to 9.
Bus Stop Films will host an Accessible Filmmaking Workshop for young people with disabilities led by Brisbane based filmmaker, Griffith Film School lecturer and BSF team member Martha Goddard. Martha, together with Bus Stop’s CEO Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM and disability support worker Seema Dudley, will also present a selection of films produced by Bus Stop and take part in a panel discussion about how inclusive filmmaking works and the benefits to people with disability participating in the screen industry.
This event is a part of Japan’s Cultural Arts Universal Tourism Project in the lead up to Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai, and is organised by New Inclusion Japan, Japan Arts Council and the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan. The project aims expand opportunities for people with disabilities to present and appreciate artistic activities at the Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai.
The project and Bus Stop’s involvement in Japan is being led by Jason Hancock, founder of Special Beauty which celebrates the unique and beautiful talents of special needs youth in Japan, and by Mayumi Mitogawa, disability advocate and board member of Japan Down Syndrome Society.
The trip builds on Bus Stop’s engagement in Japan and connection with Japan Down Syndrome Society. Both organisations attended the World Downs Syndrome congress in Brisbane in 2024 and, previously, Bus Stop Film’s co-founder Genevieve Clay-Smith wrote and directed Shakespeare in Tokyo, (Produced by Taste Creative and Bus Stop Film) starring Gerard O’Dwyer (What About Sal) and Patrick Brammall (Colin from Accounts), shot on location in Tokyo in 2018. The production included a workshop with participants from Japan Down Syndrome Society.
Separately, in further exciting news, Bus Stop Films has been selected by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to present its work at the Australian Pavilion in Expo Osaka in Japan in September 2025. Bus Stop are working on an inclusive short film to premiere at Expo.
“I am honoured and excited to see Bus Stop Films presenting our work in Japan. Film is such a beautiful way to connect people from all cultures and to showcase inclusion and I am proud that Bus Stop’s work is being recognised and welcomed so warmly by the Japanese arts and disability community. Our growing presence and partnerships in Japan reflect Bus Stop’s position as a global leader in inclusive filmmaking and as key members of Australia’s creative industries. I am excited for what we can achieve and create together,” Tracey Corbin-Matchett said.
Tracey Corbin-Matchett OAM is CEO of Bus Stop Films, Member of the Disability Council NSW, Member of the Screen Australia, Gender Matters Taskforce, IncludeAbility Ambassador to the Australian Human Rights Commission and Advisor to the Screen Producers Australia Council.
Tracey is a proud hard of hearing woman with a passion for kindness, advocacy and inclusion. As CEO of Bus Stop Films she is advocating for greater representation of people with disability in the screen industry, receiving an OAM in 2023, in the King’s Birthday Honours, for service to the arts and to people with disability. Her 30-year career has crossed social housing, women’s domestic violence services, and the film and television industry, working in policy, advocacy and marketing roles with a number of industry services. Tracey is Executive Producer of Bus Stop’s slate of films.
Photo credit: Bus Stop Film’s Tracey Corbin-Matchett, Martha Goddard, Seema Dudley.