SPOTLIGHTS 2025
HANDIBROKEN FANTOMS (LOL), is a mockumentary, dealing with the inclusion of people with disabilities in the film industry. It was self-produced and directed by a person herself with a motor disability (wheelchair) with reduced mobility, as part of an Avon 77 Kinorama. The director believes in humor and self-mockery to convey the positive messages about inclusion based on one’s own disability situation, and lead to a co-construction. This short mockumentary is a potential game-changer for the disabled people in these communities in France and elsewhere. HANDIBROKEN FANTOMS (LOL), reflects this state of mind by highlighting the “broken of life” which, alas, seems to become “invisible” or even “ghosts” in a modern society, claiming to be inclusive.
A young actress presents herself to a casting for a spy role in an action film with stunts, despite her difference and her physical condition.
Rahma Sophia RACHDI is a trailblazing political journalist and changemaker, working from a wheelchair with fearless conviction. A former scientist holding a Ph.D. in Microbiology, she also earned an MBA, a Master’s degree in Economics, and was awarded a prestigious fellowship in European Affairs from the ENA (École Nationale d’Administration).
For the past two decades, she has served as Chief Correspondent in Paris, covering the French Presidency and the Prime Minister’s office for a major U.S. news agency — making her the first and only disabled journalist in that role for over 20 years. She also sits on the Board of Directors of the French Press Club, where she continues to advocate for media inclusivity.
Renowned for both her scientific publications and hard-hitting journalism across print and television, Rahma coined the widely recognized term “Format Normandie” and has contributed her expertise as a consultant to leading corporations and global think tanks in finance and geopolitics.
A sought-after international speaker and moderator, she regularly leads and contributes to high-level forums such as UNESCO, the Normandy World Peace Forum, and the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society.
Since becoming a wheelchair user, Rahma has championed a powerful, co-creative vision of disability inclusion, founding the NGO Union Minority Plus, a pioneering platform that promotes visibility of people with disabilities across media, politics, entertainment, and tech.
She has also created 13 humorous short films tackling the subject of disability and inclusion (see IMDb), including the mockumentary “Handibroken Fantoms (LOL)”, which was screened at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in September 2023.
Now, she is preparing to launch “The Good Samaritan”, a first-of-its-kind mobile app powered by AI and gamification. The app connects HELPERS and HELPEES (people with disabilities or elderly individuals) through geolocation, offering real-time assistance anywhere in the world. Help is rewarded through tokens that can be redeemed for gifts or exclusive experiences — making solidarity feel like a game. The app is inclusive, multilingual (available in 6 languages), and has been recognized for its innovation and humanity.
Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the World Humanitarian Drive Peace & Journalism Award, presented at the UK Parliament — a testament to her tireless efforts in bridging journalism, tech, and social impact.
“Handinbroken Fantoms” is not just a film, it’s a rupture, a haunting, and a soft rebellion.
As a disabled woman and a storyteller, I crafted this short film as both a mirror and a phantom limb. It speaks to the invisible, the fractured identities, the broken systems, the unreachable dreams we still dare to chase. The title itself holds contradictions: “hand,” “broken,” “phantoms” a language of absence, yet full of presence.
This film was born from silence, the kind that comes not only from being unheard, but from being unseen. It is my way of reclaiming narrative space, reimagining bodies and voices that are too often erased or flattened in mainstream cinema.
I did not want to make a “film about disability.” I wanted to make a poetic, radical act of visibility. An artwork where movement and stillness, rage and tenderness, fiction and memory coexist. A ghost story told by those still alive.
“Handinbroken Fantoms” is for anyone who has ever felt exiled from their own body or from the world’s imagination.
This is not a tragedy.
This is a form of survival.
This is cinema, broken open.
Arthur, a struggling playwright, recasts Georgia as the new lead of his make-or-break stage adaptation. As he grows closer to the aspiring actress, he must overcome his checkered past with her predecessor, Violet, or risk losing his new flame.
Derek’s background is primarily in animated shorts. ‘The Blonde Effect,’ a 55-minute Coming-of-age animation spanning 14 episodes, was released on his YouTube channel, (Silly Derek Media). ‘Flying Solo’ is Derek Yang’s first foray into live-action filmmaking. His second feature film, the musical romantic comedy feature film “The Wing Girl” is now streaming on Amazon Prime. After being selected into eleven film festivals worldwide for his absurdist comedy film “I Have A Boyfriend”, he now sets his sights for the festival run of his second feature film ‘Violet’.
On ‘Violet’, we grew our team from the initial 40 students across UQ, QUT, and SAE Institute, to over 60 cast and crew that have been part of Griffith Film School, QUT, and TAFE acting degrees, as well as a range of graduates. Shot on 12 days across just 2 months and 11 locations in Brisbane, it was a refreshingly far cry from the 2-year production of ‘The Wing Girl’, which encompassed lengthy recording, singing, and on-location rehearsals on top of the 17 days of filming across 9 months just to work around everyone’s Uni and work commitments. It is because of this core group of cast and crew that has improved our credibility in recruiting so many more new faces on this film, where we held over 40 auditions. This is a testament to a team of people volunteering their time with unwavering goodwill and support when they could have easily decided to move on.
A Neapolitan supporter undertakes a ritual journey to Georgia, honoring a vow made after Napoli’s third Scudetto, in a cinematic tale where superstition, devotion, and football intertwine with myth.
Love weaves through the heart of an American college town, unfolding between two souls as it drifts through various places — Across generations, love shifts and evolves. Journey into the unseen realms where beginnings and endings meet, and forever reveals itself in a mental odyssey beyond the limits of perception. From the first spark to the final whisper, love transcends into eternity, even beneath the tree standing quietly at the center of everything.
Driven by capturing the shifting feelings from image and sound, to somehow provoke the human experience. I’ve collaborated with Francis Ford Coppola on ‘Distant Vision,’ now known as ‘Live Cinema.’ I played a key role in the globally broadcast Earth Day film ‘Behind the Water’ and have engaged with universities worldwide, involving students as professionals in my projects. Recently, I adopted a wild cat named Kiki, whose presence has surprisingly curtailed my travels, affording me the opportunity to focus on creating a short film for your consideration.
The actor was adamant about having the tree, and I complied, asking, “Shall we?” Everything else fell into place, understanding he had one wish before he transitioned into marriage. This piece opens with layered meanings that lead to a single truth. I hope it resonates with the unseen world around us. What is clear to one may remain hidden from another. This work seeks to connect these realms. It marks both a beginning and an end, imbued with the essence of eternity for all. This creation has been meticulously crafted and seamlessly stitched together using nine distinct cameras.
Leslie Anne Lee has been writing since she was six years old, crafting tales on newsprint paper with crayons before graduating to pen and journal. Her passion for writing was evident from a young age, winning recognition in school for her short stories and poetry. By high school, Leslie had published her first novel, and as a college freshman, her poetry garnered recognition from her state senator. Now penning her eighth book, Leslie has also turned her focus to screenwriting – creating a second avenue for her stories to be brought to life.
Leslie’s writing journey has been marked by determination and resilience. Even as a new mother, she penned her second book while bedridden with a fever. Her dedication to the craft has resulted in the publication of six books across various genres, and her poetry has been featured in several anthologies.
Leslie credits her success to the encouragement and inspiration she received from her high school English and Drama teacher, Greg Stobbe, as well as the unwavering support of her family and friends. Her mother, who instilled in her a love of reading; her children, whom she wants to inspire and teach that anything is possible; and her friends, who have inspired, pushed, and motivated her to believe that she can and will be a successful author. When she’s not writing, Leslie enjoys contributing to local film non-profits, participating in red-carpet premieres, and nurturing her creative spirit through gardening, dancing, and helping her children make movies.
Having always been ornery, Lynda put those gifts on the top shelf of a closet, ignored the soothing voices urging her to ‘pass the torch’ or ‘be the mentor you always wish you’d had,’ and did what she’s always done when facing a roadblock: put on a little lipstick and run headlong in a new direction.
After thirty years writing novels and teaching others to write, Lynda turned her skills to screenwriting, presenting her with a whole new array of landmines and hurdles to overcome, just the way she likes it.
Visit www.icrone.ca to see more information about her first short film Ed and Alfie.
To see Lynda’s books, short stories and more visit www.lyndasimmons.com
Louis Holmes is a NYC Firefighter/Persian Gulf Veteran and Actor. Studied at AADA and later continued his studies at HB Studios, Actors alliance and St.John’s University. Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Film and Television.
Nini Caroline Skarpaas Myhrvold (b. 1990) has a background as an environmental therapist and is a birth and pregnancy therapist. She has specialized expertise in trauma-sensitive care and prefers a holistic approach. She is a biopath, has two scientific publications, and is currently pursuing an EMBA at Hult International Business School. Website: www.ninicaroline.no
Espen Jan Folmo (b. 1980) holds a PhD in psychology and is also a trained journalist. He has a certification in technology management from MIT and a master’s degree in change management from INSEAD. He led the Quality Laboratory for Psychotherapy at Oslo University Hospital for 10 years and has extensive experience in international research in psychotherapy. He co-authored a textbook on Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) published by Gyldendal. He has delved into spiritual systems, such as the Diamond Approach, for over 20 years. Website: www.espenfolmo.no
Other publications: https://scholar.google.no/citations?user=_LpNgqcAAAAJ&hl=en
LOOK UP—The Science of Cultural Evolution began as a humble idea: how can we bridge the gap between scientific discovery and the profound wisdom of human experience? As directors, we wanted to create something more than just a documentary. We wanted to invite people into a dialogue—both with themselves and with the world around them.
This film is born from the belief that the personal and the universal are inextricably linked. The way we heal ourselves mirrors the way cultures evolve. Our journey as humans is not one of isolation, but of constant interplay with society and nature. In this sense, healing is not just personal; it’s collective. It is cultural evolution in action.
At its core, LOOK UP is both a scientific exploration and a love letter to human resilience. Drawing from the rich fields of psychotherapy, ancient spiritual teachings, and modern culture, we’ve woven a tapestry of personal stories that speak to our deepest longing—to heal, grow, and find meaning. But we didn’t stop at the cerebral. We wanted to take the viewer on a visual journey, one that taps into the language of the soul: art and animation.
Through this film, we hope audiences will see their own role in this grand narrative of cultural evolution. By healing ourselves, we heal the culture around us. By questioning the stories we’ve been told, we can shape the stories that will define us.
LOOK UP is an invitation—to reflect, to evolve, and to imagine what might emerge when we collectively embrace the power of personal and societal transformation. And maybe, just maybe, to remember that the most profound shifts often come not from looking down at what’s familiar, but by looking up at what could be.