Press

For our sixth episode, we sit down with Genevieve Clay-Smith, Co-Founder and CEO of Bus Stop Films, an organisation dedicated to inclusive filmmaking through providing opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities and those from marginalised communities.

Actor Gerard O’Dwyer, 34, and Bus Stop Films CEO Genevieve Clay-Smith, 30, became firm friends when their first collaboration won at Tropfest. He’s encouraged her to loosen up; she’s taught him how to love the camera.

Not all of us are the type to explore a new country by ourselves. But imagine if the world thought you couldn’t? Recent short film Shakespeare in Tokyo follows a man thrust into Japan’s exciting metropolis and promptly told to stay in his hotel room — for fear he might endanger himself because of his Down syndrome.

Genevieve Clay-Smith learnt early on in her life that widening your world to include people a little bit different to you could have a profound and lasting effect on your life.

The pair share their behind the scenes adventures while making the film.

Bus Stop Films and Taste Creative are proud to bring home the Australian premiere of Shakespeare in Tokyo – a short film that follows an artist and Shakespeare fan with Down syndrome on his solo adventure through Japan’s bustling capital.

The driving force behind Bus Stop Films has taken her mission for inclusive filmmaking to Japan.

GenevieveClay-Smith is a writer, film director, Squizer and all-round excellent person. She is the founder and CEO of Bus Stop Films, a not-for-profit organisation that has put inclusion in the film industry front and centre. In 2015 she was named NSW Young Australian of the Year. Here, Genevieve puts down her night cheese long enough to tackle the Three Minute Squiz.