The Festival began with two important screenings. “Nectar”, the film from UK, by Liz Crow, showcased for the first time in the country, audio description for the blind. This, with its additional options for captioned viewing as well as sign language, it is a totally accessible film.

This was followed by the Japanese film “I Love You” by Yutaka Osawa, which was the Festival’s main inaugural feature.  A story of the evolving relationship between a deaf mother and her young hearing daughter, simply and emotionally told, was a notable film in several respects. One of the two directors was deaf, the lead actress is a deaf person, and the cast and crew comprised disabled and non-disabled persons. This film truly encapsulated the spirit of AbilityFest2007 – cinema by, with and about people with disabilities.