Learning disabilities festival Brigtens up Hove

A record 113 entries have been whittled down to 38 for the Oska Bright film festival - the only festival in Europe that showcases films made by and for people with learning disabilities - which opens in Hove, East Sussex, on Monday.

From the Guardian:

The films, the longest of which runs for seven minutes, include Celebrity Shotgun, an EastEnders-style soap about infidelity, and In Our Shoes, a documentary about the emotional impact on a woman with learning disabilities of losing her job.

The festival is in its third year and sponsors and funders include Baby Cow (Steve Coogan and Henry Normal's TV company), Stomp, UK Film Festival, Sky TV, Channel 4 and Screen South. Between screenings next Monday and Tuesday at the Old Market, there will be masterclasses in making short films.

Mark Richardson, artistic director of Carousel Arts, another of the festival sponsors and organisers, says the winners of five categories will receive specially commissioned illuminated trophies designed and made by award-winning learning disabled artist Andy Kee. There are also two special training bursaries, the winners of which will get two days' film and TV training and mentoring from festival co-sponsor Junk TV. After the festival, the films will tour venues across the UK and Irish Republic.