Film By – d/Deaf and hard of hearing student filmmaking program – workshop (Kempsey)

Locality: Kempsey
Region: Regional North and West
Years 7 to 12 d/Deaf and/or hard of hearing public school students
Event Workshop Film
Tags: All Ability Arts, Auslan, Disability, Film and video production, Inclusive opportunities

Dates

Dates: Thu 3 and Fri 4 Sep 2026
Time: 9 am to 3 pm

Venue

The Connect Centre

Kempsey High School
105 Tozer St
Kempsey NSW 2440
Australia

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Cost: TBC

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Enquiries

Karishma Mathur
Film By Officer
The Arts Unit
karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au
0427 770 377

Related programs

Attachments

Film By d/Deaf and hard of hearing workshop – letter to parents 2026 (DOCX 240.27 KB) Authority to film and record form – Film By – d/Deaf and HOH filmmaking program (PDF 221.35 KB)

About the workshop

Students will learn from industry professional Sofya Gallon (Deaf director). She is a distinguished Deaf multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker, actor, and playwright. Bilingual in English and Australian Sign Language, she uses video, photography, and storytelling to present alternative perspectives on the world. A graduate of NIDA and AFTRS, she is Australia’s leading Deaf filmmaker, with four AACTA nominations and international recognition. Best known for over 30 years on Play School, she has been a trailblazer in onscreen disability representation. Her work has been showcased at major festivals, and she has contributed to industry discussions at events like the Sydney International Film Festival and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

With Sofya you will learn about:

  • scriptwriting
  • green screen
  • camera work
  • editing.

Participating schools/students will be accepted on a first-in-first-served basis.

Participating schools/students will need to make their own way to and from the venue. Supervision of participating students by The Arts Unit teaching staff will only be during the workshop hours. However, teachers may be required to attend depending on individual student needs.

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Application process

Students attending workshops with a teacher

  1. Complete the application form, including all your students' details and contact teacher information.
  2. Complete the form and upload all necessary documents at least 4 days before the workshops.

Unaccompanied students attending the workshop

  1. Email a request for the unaccompanied students to attend for approval to the Program Coordinator – Karishma Mathur 
  2. Complete this online application form, including the unaccompanied students' details and contact teacher information.
  3. Parents/carers must complete the authority to film and record form for their child.
  4. ​​​​Parents/carers must complete the Authority to Film and Record form  Authority to film and record form – Film By – d/Deaf and HOH filmmaking program (PDF 221.35 KB)

Please note – all unaccompanied student paperwork must be completed and returned prior to the start of the workshop.

Participating schools and students will be accepted on a first-in-first-served basis.

All student paperwork must be completed and returned prior to the start of the program.

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Apply for the workshop

Privacy notice

The information requested in this note is being collected by the NSW Department of Education. The department will use the information in connection with your student's participation in this event for the following purposes:

  1. administration;
  2. communication with parents/carers; and
  3. for the health, safety and welfare of your student.

The department might share the information requested in this note with health care providers in the event that your student requires urgent medical attention. All personal information will be held securely and disposed of securely when no longer needed.

You have the right to access and correct the information you provide in this note. If you wish to do so, please contact The Arts Unit on 02 8512 1100 Locked Bag 1500, Petersham NSW 2049 

Specific privacy information

The department will use information about your student's

  • Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status for the purpose of implementing its Aboriginal Education Policy.
  • Identified additional support information to ensure appropriate learning adjustments are in place.

The provision of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status or gender status is voluntary, and not providing either of them will not impact on your student's participation. All other additional support information requested in this form is voluntary.

Important information

In the event of injury, no personal injury insurance cover is provided by the NSW Department of Education for students in relation to school sporting activities, physical education lessons or any other school activity. The department’s public liability cover is fault-based and limited to breaches by the department of its duty of care to students that may result in claims for compensation.

Parents/carers are advised to assess the level and extent of their child’s involvement in the activity when deciding whether additional insurance cover is required prior to their child’s involvement in the program. Personal accident insurance cover is available through normal retail insurance outlets.

Will a teacher be accompanying the student/s?

Participating students

Of the participating students how many are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
Of the participating students how many are Culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CALD)?
Of the participating students how many identify as a person with disability?

Authority to Film and Record

You will need to have a signed Authority to Film and Record form completed for each student. The form can be downloaded here:

Authority to film and record form – Film By – d/Deaf and HOH filmmaking program (PDF 221.35 KB)

Please email copies of completed form to the program coordinator.

Karishma Mathur | Film By Officer | The Arts Unit | 0427 770 377 | karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au

Unaccompanied student details

Parent/caregiver details

Student background information

Is the student of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?
Does the student identify as a person with disability?
Is a language other than English spoken at home?

Disability support information

Are there any special circumstances about the student that the program coordinator should know prior to enrolment?
Additional learning and support needs, including disability
Does the student require support for participation because of disability?
Is there anything that you do or modify at home that may help us to meet the student’s educational needs?
Please indicate any learning adjustments that may be required to allow the student to participate in this program? (complete only if applicable)
For example, speaking and/or listening
For example, hygiene, mealtimes and/or health care needs social support to engage safely with others
Please indicate any conditions the student experiences
Is there a documented plan to support the student’s additional learning needs at school?
Please upload the student's plan to support additional learning needs, or email [email address linked].
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt rtf pdf doc docx odt ppt pptx odp xls xlsx ods.
Emergency contact details

Student medical information

Please indicate any medical conditions the student experiences.
If the student has a medical action plan for any reason please supply this plan by uploading or via email to ####@det.nsw.edu.au.
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: jpg jpeg png html pdf doc docx zip.
If nil, please type N/A.
Students participating in The Arts Unit activities who have allergies or anaphylaxis are expected to provide an Allergy action plan or an Anaphylaxis action plan.

If required, please download an Allergy action plan or an Anaphylaxis action plan.
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt rtf pdf doc docx odt ppt pptx odp xls xlsx ods.
Sudents participating in The Arts Unit activities are expected to provide any medications clearly labelled in a zip lock bag with their completed Administering medication form.

If required, please download an Administering prescribed medication form (DOCX 77.64 KB)
One file only.
16 MB limit.
Allowed types: txt rtf pdf doc docx odt ppt pptx odp xls xlsx ods.

Student dietary information

Dietary requirements

Parent permissions and agreements

In the event that my child fails to abide by the Behaviour code for students I understand that I will be notified and that they will be required to be collected or sent home at my expense.
Download the Administering medication form (DOCX, 76.16 KB).

Authority to film and record

Responsible school or business unit and contact person

The filming/recording will be arranged by: The Department of Education, The Arts Unit

Contact person name: Karushma Mathur
Email: karishma.mathur@det.nsw.edu.au

Production company

The filming/recording will be done by: internally by NSW Department of Education ('department')

Project

Project described as above.

Medium

Referred to in this document as 'footage'.

  • Video (including audio)
  • Still photography
  • Audio only recording

Filming/recording start and end date

As per project date unless otherwise described.

Filming location

As per project location unless otherwise described.

What the footage will be used for

The footage will be used to promote the workshop or program and encourage support and participation in the workshop or program.

Publication media

In connection with the Project the footage may be used by the department in the following:

  • on departmental and school websites in school newsletters
  • in publicity materials published by the department
  • on the department’s social media accounts
  • in print digital and online newspapers and magazines
  • television
  • other.

What will be filmed or recorded

Performances, rehearsals, workshops, interviews, competitions, festivals in relation to the Project.

How the filming or recording will occur

Up to three cameras would be used, with external lighting and audio recording equipment.

Storage and access

Raw footage will be stored on NSW Department of Education secure servers, accessible only by The Arts Unit staff. Produced footage will be uploaded to Vimeo and cross published on Facebook and The Arts Unit website, accessible by the public.

How long can the footage be used for?

The footage will be available for use until the department considers it no longer fit for purpose

The footage online may provide cached on web browsers  and archived copies may appear after the department itself has ceased to post the footage.

Transportation

Not applicable.

Acknowledgements and consents

Filming/recording: I consent to the department filming me and recording my voice, performances, poses, and actions in connection with the project described above.
Re-records: if any re-recording or voice-overs are needed, I agree to make myself available to assist.
Use: I consent to the department using the footage of me for the Project described above, (including to promote the Project.
Video editing: I understand that the department may edit any video it records, including combining it with other video and audio and adding text or music for the project
Inspection: I waive any right to inspect or approve any use of the footage before it is used.
Copyright: I acknowledge and agree that all rights in and to any content captured as a part of the project, including the copyright, are and shall remain the sole property of the department and I waive any moral rights under the Copyright Act 1968 in the video and audio.
Voluntary: I understand that participation in the filming and recording is voluntary and I will not be remunerated.
Online reposts: if the footage is posted by the department on the internet the department cannot prevent third parties from posting links.
Interpretation: references in this Acknowledgment to 'me' and 'I' are references to the person recorded in the 'student details' section of this form.

I certify and represent that I have read the foregoing and fully understand the meaning and effect; and (please select one of the following):

Authority to Film and Record

Please note that participation in the program is not dependent on granting permission to publish (talent release).

Please sign above.

Payment

I understand that the school will be charged $150 for each student registered or $90 for each student if from an identified rural school for participation. Fees are processed as a direct debit via an Intercompany Journal (previously Sundry Tax) after the first session.

The SAM details are collected to support efficient payment organisation.
I have the permission of the school Principal to submit this application.
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