gap actually is. “On-screen, the current percentage is 8.2% of individuals coming from the DDN community. Off-screen, it’s 6.5%. If you compare that with what the actual population is, which is currently about 18%, we’ve still got a heck of a long way to go.” Arnold and filmmaker Ted Evans discussed recent projects, including Then Barbara Met Alan , a TV drama which fictionalises the lives of Barbara Lisicki and Alan Holdsworth, who co-founded Disabled People’s Direct Action Network. “It wasn’t perfect by any means, but we faced each challenge [How do we get our crew around? Where are we going to film it?] as we came across it and tried to find solutions,” explained Arnold. Evans’ experiences, while focused more singularly on the deaf community, have been similarly challenging: “I make films with deaf actors, documentaries and TV shows in sign language, and while that’s a wonderful thing to do in my community, it’s also limiting,” he said, calling his job ‘a double-edged sword.’ That said, Evans’ work has brought more sign language to the big screen – an addition that’s undoubtedly a net positive. ’TIL NEXT TIME The afternoon continued in a similar fashion, with talks from Otto Baxter and Jason Osborne, stories from outside the M25, interactive Q&As and a range of breakout sessions. Ending with an after-party, Be You 2023 went out with a bang. A true celebration of individuality and intersectionality – the festival fulfilled its promise to leave its attendees ‘full of ideas and inspiration.’
SPEAK THEIR TRUTH Throughout the festival, contributors were able to express their views on the issues that affect them most
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