The Bus Stop Films (BSF) Scholarship provides life-changing opportunities for DDN (Diverse, Disabled and Neurodivergent) people to build creative and professional skills through participation in our award-winning Accessible Filmmaking Program. This program empowers individuals to gain hands-on experience in filmmaking while developing communication, collaboration, and confidence, skills that extend far beyond the screen. Each scholarship ...
Bus Stop Films
Bus Stop Films – Scholarship Program
GOAL
$40,000
Australia > National / Multi-state > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Arts and culture
- Education/training and employment
Target Population
- People with a disability, illness or disease
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Bus Stop Films
Bus Stop Films (BSF) is a pioneering Australian not-for-profit organisation that uses filmmaking and the film industry to raise the profile of people with disability and other marginalised communities. Founded in 2009, BSF is built on the belief that storytelling and inclusive filmmaking can drive social change and create meaningful pathways to education, employment, and empowerment.
At the heart of BSF is its award-winning Accessible Filmmaking Program, which provides film studies and practical filmmaking workshops for DDN (Diverse and Disabled Neurodivergent) people. The program is delivered in over 15 locations nationally, creating inclusive, industry-led learning environments where participants gain filmmaking skills, build confidence, develop literacy and communication abilities, and improve pathways to employment. Students work with industry professionals to create high-quality films that screen at festivals around the world.
Beyond education, BSF is committed to building inclusive pathways to employment. Through its Bus Stop Employment (BSE) arm, the organisation supports participants into meaningful work in the screen industry and beyond. BSF also consults with leading production companies to create accessible and inclusive workplaces.
BSF’s work is grounded in values of creativity, inclusivity, and impact. With a strong network of industry partners, passionate advocates, and a growing national footprint, BSF is transforming lives and reshaping the screen industry to reflect the full diversity of our community.
In everything it does, Bus Stop Films champions the rights of DDN people to participate, create, and be seen, both on screen and behind the scenes.
Project Summary
The Bus Stop Films (BSF) Scholarship provides life-changing opportunities for DDN (Diverse, Disabled and Neurodivergent) people to build creative and professional skills through participation in our award-winning Accessible Filmmaking Program. This program empowers individuals to gain hands-on experience in filmmaking while developing communication, collaboration, and confidence, skills that extend far beyond the screen.
Each scholarship enables a DDN participant to join a year-long filmmaking program, delivered in inclusive, industry-based settings across Australia. With the support of passionate filmmakers and mentors, students explore all aspects of filmmaking, writing, directing, camera operation, acting, sound, editing, and production, while also creating original short films that screen at festivals around the world.
Through BSF’s Bus Stop Employment arm, participants receive tailored support to connect with work placements, job opportunities, and networks across the screen industry and broader creative sectors. Supporting a BSF scholarship means backing inclusion, creativity, and employment futures for people who deserve to be seen and heard.
Project Outcomes
This project is designed to support DDN (Diverse, Disabled and Neurodivergent) individuals to build creative capabilities, confidence, and real-world experience that lead to meaningful employment outcomes in the screen industry and beyond. Through participation in Bus Stop Films' Accessible Filmmaking Program, participants gain hands-on skills in all areas of filmmaking, including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, and production management.
A core outcome of the project is to increase access to employment pathways for DDN people. Participants are supported to build transferable workplace skills such as teamwork, communication, reliability, and problem-solving. These are developed in an inclusive, industry-based environment and further strengthened through industry excursions, workplace tours, and networking with professionals from across the screen sector.
Upon completion of the program, participants are connected with employment and work experience opportunities through Bus Stop Employment (BSE), which provides personalised support to match participants with roles across production companies, festivals, content creation teams, and other creative and administrative roles.
The project also aims to shift industry perceptions by demonstrating the capabilities and value of DDN creatives through the production of high-quality short films and active industry engagement. As a result, the initiative not only enhances individual employability but contributes to broader systems change within the screen sector.
Expected outcomes include increased job placements, greater representation of DDN people in screen and creative roles, and long-term improvements in confidence, independence, and professional engagement for participants.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $60,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Philanthropic Foundations | $20,000 |
| Funding gap | $40,000 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Project expenses | $60,000 |
Support Bus Stop Films
Got a question about this organisation or ready to contribute? Contact us.
Are you an ACF Fundholder? Log in to your Fund Portal to request a grant from your Fund.
Add your organisation to the Funding Platform
Is your not-for-profit organisation seeking funding? Add your organisation to the Funding Platform or upload your funding needs for a project.
Is this your organisation profile? You can request updates by resubmitting a Funding Platform Submission.