Programs

Programs

Our award winning Programs are taught by industry professionals with the assistance of dedicated disability support workers. The Programs provide participants with the ability to develop community and industry connections, whilst building and enhancing their skills and capacity in the screen and commercial industry.

Our Programs have been co-designed with the disability community and industry professionals to provide a high quality experience mixing film theory with practical hands-on experience.

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Accessible Filmmaking Program

This 40 week year long national Program offers our participants exclusive workshops, amazing excursions, screen industry workplace opportunities, and the opportunity to work collaboratively with professional cast and crew on a film project.

Participants have the opportunity to learn all things filmmaking in some of Australia’s leading educational facilities.

We offer our workshops in Sydney, Parramatta, Wollongong, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Launceston Blue Mountains, Gold Coast, Coffs Harbour, Carlton (Southern Sydney), Hobart, Darwin and Cairns as part of our national footprint.

All Programs need a minimum of 9 participants in order to be delivered.

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PLACES

PLACES is Peer led filmmaking, Leadership, Advocacy Opportunities, Creativity and artistic outlets, Employment pathways, Social and community connections.

The Program is aimed at people who have undertaken previous filmmaking courses or have measurable on the job experience in filmmaking and live with a disability. This 20 week program is designed to progress your skills and build greater capacity around filmmaking and employability for participants.

There are 3 streams and you can only select one:

1. Directing

2. Screenwriting

3. Camera and Lighting

Each stream can have a maximum of 6 participants for a total of 18 participants across the Program. All participants will work together across all streams to create one short film.

This program was proudly supported by an Australian Government Strong and Resilient Communities Grant.

Currently only available in Sydney.

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LUMINA

Lumina has been created by industry renowned post production facility Spectrum Films and supported by leaders in inclusive filmmaking, Bus Stop Films. The program will provide participants hands-on training, a broad knowledge base of visual effects and everything it entails as well as insight into the greater Film & Television industry.

Lumina is more than just theory, it has direct outcomes related to the employment of people with disability with a 12 week paid internship program supported by Spectrum Films and Bus Stop Films. Participants will undertake work on films and series, gaining valuable experience and insight.

The initiative will operate 100% online, which is now common industry practice, giving participants the ability to work from a known and safe environment and making the initiative accessible to more people, Australia-wide.

The program has been co-designed to provide individuals who identify as having Autism or are Autistic with an interest in a career in Visual Effects, looking for a pathway into the industry at a pace that suits them.

Lumina has proudly been sponsored by Netflix, Dell, BorisFX and Xenon, so there is no cost for participants.

There are three stages to this application process which need to be completed in order to be considered for the program.

Below outlines the three stages:

Stage 1: EOI Application – Application close on 1 September 2025

Stage 2: Phone Consultation – 30 minute one on one

Stage 3: Online Interview with Spectrum Films and Bus Stop Films – 30 minute one on one interview.

Applications now closed

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Eligibility

All of our Programs are open to individuals who are 17 years of age or older and who have a mild to moderate intellectual disability or Autism.

Whilst our classrooms are supported by Disability Support Workers, participants who require specific support such as Auslan Interpreters, Live Captioning, one-on-one support, etc. will need to fund these through their own NDIS packages.

For our PLACES Program individuals will need to also meet the following eligibility requirements:

Completion of a minimum of 3 years with Bus Stop Films’ Accessible Filmmaking Program.

You’ve been a member of Bus Stop Employment for over a year, and have been through the assessment process.

Be able to demonstrate equivalent filmmaking knowledge acquired through completion of a film course in a film school (eg Tafe or similar)

Be able to demonstrate equivalent filmmaking knowledge acquired through on-the-job training e.g. internships combined with practical experience.

If you have a combination of these requirements, we encourage you to apply and we can discuss your eligibility with you as part of the application process.

For Lumina

There are only 6 people places and the individuals need to identify as having Autism or who are Autistic and meet the below eligibility criteria into the Lumina Program.

Are able to work remotely and can learn online
Are passionate about VFX
Be an Australian Citizen or a permanent resident

Fee Structure

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Meet our team of Workshop Leaders

Meet our team of passionate and industry professionals who will be leading your Programs

John Smith Bio to go here

Jane Smith Bio to go here

Meet our Program Ambassadors

Our Program Ambassadors

Gerard O’Dwyer Gerard O’Dwyer is an award-winning actor and a passionate champion for inclusion in the screen industry. He made his on-screen debut in Be My Brother, earning Best Male Actor at the 2009 Tropfest Film Festival, with the film also taking out Best Film. He later won Best Actor at the ReelHeART International Film Festival and received the Emerging Leader Award at the National Disability Awards. Gerard appeared in his first feature film, Red Christmas, alongside Dee “Scream Queen” Wallace. His career spans leading roles in short films such as Way Out Assistance and Shakespeare in Tokyo, along with voice-over work in Los Angeles. A versatile performer, he has also worked in opera and theatre as a co-founding member of the disability-led RUCKUS Ensemble. Gerard was the first-ever Bus Stop Films Accessible Filmmaking Program student and continues to advocate for inclusion through media appearances and ambassador roles. He enjoys Shakespeare, Irish history, swimming, and karate.

Audrey O'Connor Audrey O’Connor is a talented actress, writer, filmmaker, and role model whose career spans film, television, theatre, and advocacy. She made her screen debut in the short film Yolk (2007), representing the project at the 58th Berlin International Film Festival. Since then, she has worked with organisations including the NSW Government, Down Syndrome Association, NDIA, NDIS, and Giant Dwarf. Audrey has appeared on ABC programs such as You Can’t Ask That and The Other Guy, and as a founding member of the RUCKUS Ensemble, she wrote and performed original theatre works. She completed the Front & Centre Leadership Development Program in 2022 and is a proud Ambassador for Bus Stop Films, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s IncludeAbility initiative, and GigBuddies. A dedicated advocate, Audrey has supported inclusive teaching at The Actors Centre and previously worked with Village Roadshow Films before joining AFTRS as a production assistant. Outside of her creative work, she enjoys writing, karate, salsa, and Pilates.

Nathan Basha Nathan Basha is a filmmaker, advocate, and motivational speaker who happens to have Down syndrome — but as he says, “That’s not who I am.” He has spoken at national and international conferences, political forums, corporate events, universities, schools, and community organisations, inspiring audiences to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams. A long-time member of the Bus Stop Films Accessible Filmmaking Program (since 2011) and an ambassador since 2015, Nathan has built an impressive filmmaking career. He has worked as an Assistant Director on several internationally award-winning short films and contributed to major feature films including Disney’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Thor: Love and Thunder. He is currently a Producer on an upcoming feature project. Nathan also works at Nova 96.9 and Smooth FM in Sydney and is a dedicated advocate for employment inclusion. A former NSW Young Australian of the Year finalist, he continues to champion change through media, podcasts, and ambassador roles.

Ronan Soussa Ronan Soussa is a highly motivated Bus Stop Films Program Ambassador whose involvement in the Accessible Filmmaking Program since 2019 has opened pathways in employment, creativity, and disability advocacy. Ronan gained national recognition as a cast member on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum – Season 2, where he shared his experiences of dating and life on the autism spectrum. After high school, Ronan completed a Transition to Work Program and earned several training certificates, including TVET Retail Access, Certificate II in Business, and Certificate II in Warehousing Operations. Since 2020, he has proudly worked as a mascot for Disability Services Australia and recently featured in a DSA video sharing his employment journey. In the film industry, Ronan is building his behind-the-camera career as a camera attachment with Taste Creative, continuing to provide freelance support. Outside filmmaking, he enjoys music, playing tuba with the Shire Concert Band, volunteering at Sydney Motorsport Park, practising karate, and exploring new experiences with friends.

Brandon Fairley Brandon Fairley is an actor, writer, singer, producer, spokesperson, and proud Indigenous Australian of the Yuin Nation living with an invisible disability. He has spent more than eight years in community theatre, film, and screen, performing in over 20 productions. His theatre credits include Bonnie and Clyde: The Musical (Buck Barrow), Cannibal! The Musical (James Humphrey), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Aide Warren), and Angels in America Part 1 (Martin Heller). Brandon recently starred in Peaches and Cream, an educational short film created by Northcott and Bus Stop Films. His screen work includes roles in the acclaimed series Mr Inbetween and the reboot of Heartbreak High. Through Bus Stop Employment, he also worked at Channel 9 Studios during the Paralympic Games as a logger. Brandon was a panelist at the First Nations & Disability Driving Change Employment Summit and proudly serves as the Bus Stop Films Program Ambassador for Wollongong. In his spare time, he collaborates on film projects and champions local creative talent.

Heather Ridge Heather Ridge is a dedicated Bus Stop Films Ambassador who proudly champions inclusion for people with disabilities. Since joining the Accessible Filmmaking Program in 2022, she has gained diverse opportunities through Bus Stop Employment, Taste Creative, and a Telstra collaboration for International Day of People with Disability. Heather is also well known for her appearance on Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum – Season 2. Heather is completing a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Creative Writing and Global Screen Media, and has trained through the Accessible Acting Program at the Actors Centre Australia. She has worked in the film industry as an Assistant Director with Taste Creative on Telstra’s An Inclusive Future is a Bright Future and through Bus Stop Employment. Outside her film work, Heather has dedicated over 20 years to Physical Culture, inspiring girls and women in the sport and earning multiple Teacher Awards. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, the gym, and swimming.

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