An intellectually disabled Australian Rules football team gets a shot at glory in the Grand Final.

Interview with Director/Producer Mark Hellinger

Watch Road to the Grand Final here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

My co-director’s father had been working with the Williamstown FIDA football team, a team that give opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. We thought it could be interesting to follow the team.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It's a heartwarming tale told by people with intellectual disabilities as to why they play sport. It shows how sport can unite people no matter their background.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Equality is a big part of this film, how all the players with differing intellectual disabilities are all equal when they enter the football field.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The idea changed as we went along, as the team kept winning and ended up making the grand final, which makes a great finale for the film.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Feedback has been very positive, with people telling Jessie and me that they were brought to tears watching the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

The crowd response was really encouraging. But more importantly, the players in the team loved the film, which is what we wanted to achieve.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I'd love more people to see the film and the great work organisations such as the Williamstown FIDA football club do.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We would just love all people to see it.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd love people to enjoy the film and appreciate the coaches and players involved in the football club.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

I'd just love more people to see the community of people with disabilities and all the great they do.

Would you like to add anything else?

No, just thank you for including the film on this great website.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I've finished editing a few short films and hope they will be screening at festivals near you shortly.

Interview: April 2020

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Road to the Grand Final

An intellectually disabled Australian Rules football team gets a shot at glory in the Grand Final.

Length: 5:45

Director: Mark Hellinger and Jessie Maskell

Producer: Mark Hellinger and Jessie Maskell

Writer: Mark Hellinger and Jessie Maskell

About the writer, director and producer:

MARK HELLINGER and JESSIE MASKELL have been working in Film and Television for several years and have both directed award-winning broadcast winning shorts and worked in various TV shows and community videos.

Key cast: Rob Klemm and the Williamstown Segaulls FIDA Football Club

Twitter: @m_h1234

Instagram: @hproductions_au

Website: hproductions.com.au

Other: YouTube

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? The film is now online at on YouTube