Jeff Nish and Alex Hillyard

“I was very pleased to be invited by the members of the Disability Action Hall to present an award with Dr. Alex Hillyard, CEO at the “Picture this… film festival” on behalf of our Board,” said Mr. Nish, Calgary Region Community Board PDD Chair.

Picture this… is Canada’s first international disability film festival and it has attracted 90 films from 15 countries which have been created by persons with disabilities or are based on a theme of disability. The annual event which is largely a volunteer effort of persons with disabilities and their support networks was held February 12 - 16, 2007 at the Rozsa Center on the University of Calgary campus.

“This film festival offers an alternative to the images in the mainstream media and highlights the diversity of the world in which we live,” said Dr. Hillyard. “It is an opportunity for the larger community to celebrate international disability culture through film, video and workshops.”

As in previous years, Picture this….film festival offered access to an on-site video library which contains over 500 films from around the world. Guests of the festival can spend their day viewing videos of their choice, along with enjoying prescheduled films on the big screen.

Calgary Region Community Board is pleased to join other community sponsors including the University of Calgary CJSW Radio station, University of Calgary Faculty of Social Work, Nucleus Information Service Inc., artee MULTIMEDIA, Raindrop Images, National Film Board of Canada, Wild Rose Foundation, London Disability Arts Forum and University of Calgary Faculty of Education – Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies for this successful event.

Some of the award winners

"I can do it, Just you see" Honourable mention Educational Under 10 minutes		"On the spectrum" Award - Educational Over 30 minutes
"Twitch" Honorable mention Drama 10 to 30 minutes	"Raspberry Ripple" Award - Drama 10 - 30 minutes	"Hidden" Honourable mention Drama Under 10 minutes

A Few of the Volunteers