Writer and director Ella Glendining’s first feature film, ‘Is There Anybody Out There?’, about her search for others with the same disability, will be premiering at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Here, she explains why she’ll keep fighting for the disabled community for the rest of her life
For as long as Ella Glendinning can remember, the writer and director has had a deep inner knowing that she was born to help change things for disabled people. And, with her first feature film, Is There Anybody Out There? getting its premiere at the world-renown Sundance Festival next month, she is well on her way to doing that.
Ella, who grew up in the village of Elsing, Norfolk and studied at Norwich University of the Arts, is a writer-director dedicated to telling authentic disabled stories. She has written and directed short films with backing from Film4, the BFI, Arts Council England, Screen South, and the National Paralympic Heritage Trust – and was named one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow 2020. Her short film, Octopus, premiered at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival back in March.
Her non-fiction feature film, Is There Anybody Out There?, is one of 12 films from emerging talent from around the world, showcasing some of the most courageous and extraordinary filmmaking today, in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.
Sundance describes Is There Anybody Out There?: ‘While navigating daily discrimination, a filmmaker who inhabits and loves her unusual body searches the world for another person like her, and explores what it takes to love oneself fiercely despite the pervasiveness of ableism.’
The film has been more than four years in the making. Ella, who is mum to River, describes is as ‘a personal documentary about my search for others with the same disability as me and my becoming a mum, but it is really about ableism and being disabled and proud.’
She believes the film will help change things: ‘I’m going to put it out there and say I believe this film is going to do just that, for some. It is a drop in the ocean, but it is a potent one. And I’m going to use this opportunity to keep fighting for my community for the rest of my life.’
Ella is currently writing a feature fiction film called Curiosities Of Fools, which promises to be a historical drama film with a disabled characters at its core, for the British Film Institute. It will be produced by Janine Marmot, who has also produced Is There Anybody Out There?. Ella is grateful to all the team behind the film, including executive producer Lisa Marie Russo; cinematographer Annemarie Lean-Vercoe; editor Rachel Roberts; consulting editor Claire Ferguson; and composer Erland Cooper.
She is also eternally grateful to her parents, ‘who have always accepted me – perfectly imperfect – just as I am. Where would I be without their acceptance?’
With the news her first feature film will premiere at the Sundance Festival, Ella feels like she’s won an Oscar and adds: ‘I just cannot wait to share this film with the world.’
Ella Glendining’s first feature film, Is There Anybody Out There? will premiere at Prospector Square Theatre, Park City, Utah, on January 22, 2023, as part of Sundance Festival.
Featured image of Ella Glendining, by David Myers
Lorraine says
Hi Ella,
I watched your film with admiration and trepidation. I would not say you are brave, you are a very determined and lucky lady.
I myself have muscle and bone issues and other bits that class me has. Disabled..I am aware that around the world people judge you for your ability(if you can do …. You can’t be disabled) then their are I guess people like me who hide or pretend we are more able than the body would like just to have a friend or lose them due to illness or your condition. It’s great to see your little one, and your goals and.I hope new found life in others with health issues. I feel I could be a voice and do for others from home no payment just being the go to girl for a short while. Sadly it brings other pressures of doing things when your body is crying out. However, I just thought in a new generation of people or kids today your film will help so many others say I can do this or have a confidence that I don’t have.
I wonder, Don’t you think something like an on line register for people to search for others with the same issues and who may be able to help another of the same condition/illness. I find the support groups do have leaflets,,/down loads and a chat site. But I have yet to find one that is constructive. Some ask or chat about issues that are really not concerning problems connected. Nor do they see the site has connecting and sharing. I know it sounds a bit iffy, But there is so much that could be improved. Maybe you could do a film about it or use your work to show what we could do to help each other. Sorry I’ve gone right off your film by talking of something else.
It was very good, and great that you have shown positivity for many and hope that you can get on in life.
Hope you do something to show people with different conditions what they have achieved and what others can do. With support. And even engage with companies to show it is worth trying, someone will look past your chair, speech, whatever the problems. Thankyou