By Alesha Capone
A documentary starring a young pupil from Al-Taqwa College in Truganina has won an award at an international film festival.
The five-minute doco, in which six-year-old Saida appears, is called Hear In My Shoes.
The film won the Judges’ Choice – School Documentary award at the 10th annual international Focus On Ability Short Film Festival earlier this month.
Hear In My Shoes focuses on the struggles that Saida, who has a hearing impairment, can face and how the school community can help her, for example by speaking clearly and tapping her on the shoulder before talking.
The documentary was made by Obayda Kannouj and Pongky Nataatmaja from the college’s media department, along with the Student Services Department, head of grades foundation, one and two Miriam Haroun, other staff and students.
Ms Kannouj, Mr Nataatmaja and college deputy principal Mohammad Hallak attended the festival’s awards ceremony in Sydney, where they were presented with the award in front of 650 people.
The school won a Toshiba electronics package valued at $7000.
Ms Kannouj said that in addition to raising awareness, the short film had made teachers and students more aware of the daily struggles Saida faced.
“She’s been treated like a star and all the students just want to be her friend,” Ms Kannouj said.
“The short documentary is a strong communication tool – it speaks to the heart … in an entertaining and straightforward manner.
“The video led to students feeling empowered since it developed ways they can best communicate with Saida.”
