A joint screening event organised by Bournemouth University (BU) and The Royal Television Society (RTS) Southern Centre took place on 20 November 2024 to premiere the documentary ‘Parallel Lines’ which was Produced by BU's RedBalloon Productions, a production company arm of BU's Faculty of Media and Communication.
45 BU students and members of the public gathered to watch the screening that features top GB Paralympians Lucy Shuker BEM and David Smith OBE. The film was Produced and Directed by BU's Professor Kirstin Stutterheim, and Stephanie Farmer from RedBalloon Productions.
The film took over two years to make, with unique behind-the-scenes access to the Paralympians’ lives as they trained and competed. The film was part of a large research project led by Professor Michael Silk, Professor of Sport, Culture and Society at BU that explored the cultural impact of the Rio Paralympic Games and attitudes to disability and how they might be shaped by media coverage.
A Question and Answer (Q and A) session took place after the sccreening and was Chaired by Isobel Grey Forrest, BU's Programme Leader for 'BA (Hons) Television Production'. Lewis Coombes, Sports Editor at BBC South Today programme, who recently reported on the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris this year, was on the Q and A panel to answer questions. He said:
"The film ‘Parallel Lines’ provides a valuable insight into the challenges faced by para-athletes to achieve at the highest level. The screening led to an engaging conversation around funding, perception and media coverage. It was a pleasure to be involved."
The film, 'Parallel Lines' can be watched on the following YouTube channel.
For further information about our film and television courses please visit the BU website.
