About this Short Film
Footsteps To Success (InsideOutside Dance, Australia, 2021) is a short film that celebrates movement, teamwork and creative expression. Made by a company known for inclusive practice, it highlights people with autism, Down syndrome and other cognitive and intellectual disabilities as they take part in dance. The piece offers a clear, warm look at young adults working together, emphasising ability, learning and joy rather than limitation. Presented in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, it contributes to our program by amplifying diverse voices and showing how performance can be a powerful form of communication and achievement. A hopeful, human film about possibility.
Film Details
Film Transcript
When I dance I love the feel of rhythm, I love the feel of flow, creativeness. I feel in tune and I feel so in sync.
Being at a dance school, Inside Outside Dance is a very fun, relaxed, creative environment for people with disabilities. Dancing is a great way to make friendships, connections, even to try something new out of your comfort zone as well. Not many people with disabilities do something different like that.
It's always ongoing for people like Denzel and Maddie because they're really hyped up, they're really energetic, they're really great dancers as well. For me it's really a way that I feel so connected and even supported, because me and Denzel, we trust each other, so do Maddie and I. A handful of us really are connected and really supported.
They reach the front and down we go down out, push, scoot his head.
Being with Inside Outside Dance, I've never felt very inclusive as in being included to the company. I felt very opened, warm-hearted, like I was part of a family, and both Madeleine and Josh are kind of like my family, like my little family members to me.
She's very hyped, she's energetic, cheeky and troublesome as she is. I'm always going to make sure I keep an eye on that; she's like my little sister.
We were doing the same dance class. We were both competitive, we were really competitive, but there are times that I often help her with her stretches, help her with her dance moves.
This dance school, Inside Outside Dance, indeed, no doubt, is very important to me. What makes it so important is that a lot of people with special needs are more welcomed; they get opportunities to perform. You feel connected when you're on the stage, when you're in front of an audience, and where people even in the audience feel welcomed.
Okay, here he is.
Performing on stage really means a lot to me. What I really love about it is I get to feel the energy from the audience. When we exchange energies, it makes like a big circle, a circuit, a mass amount of energy that keeps going around and never stops growing.
When people look at me, they don't realise I have a disability because I feel like I look like I'm one of the normal people. I have higher functioning sensitivity when it comes to social interaction and even when it comes to dancing, because that really kind of elevates me to show how people with disabilities can be talented as well.
Just because people have a disability doesn't mean they're not great at things. If they're passionate for something, let them go for it. It's important to them. Everybody has their own purposes, so do people with disabilities. Don't just block their ways; let them follow their own footsteps to success.
Josh, are you just going to leave him there? Yeah. Whoa, thank you.
Filmmaker
InsideOutside Dance is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from InsideOutside Dance.
I loved it think it's so good to show people with disabilities showing the world let me show u what I can do and love 2 do not what I can not. I also live with a disability I am severe dislexic didn't know their was two forms but their is my art is photography. I take pictures of my self model poses of expression Shine on guys you are great.
Absolutely fabulous to see these talented individuals enjoying performing Bravo
Fantastic
A job Well Done.
Its so amazing to see this group come so far. Congratulations on being so wonderfully inclusive connected and providing all who join a sense of belonging
Just lovely Love this video.
Fantastic
This is such an inspirational video makes me smile out loud indeed
This was just beautiful to watch Wonderful work
The film Is superCongratulation for all
I love the inclusiveness of the film. It warms the heart.
The film is fantastic
Terrific. Well done.
This is amazing bunch of truly passionate artists looking to share their love of dance with their inclusive community. Awesome work guys
Love this documentary.
Truely amazing it would be wonderful that this was available for everyone
Love the message in the video. People with a disability also have many abilities they should let their talents and abilities shine. Wonderful dance group InsideOutside Dance has helped my son with autism to overcome depression with dance music connection and sense of belonging.
Love it . you are awesome
Loved the film. Showed how dance is f our everyone and the thrill of dance is no different for a person who has a disability.
Fabulous work
Im a big Madeline fan so its always good to see what shes up to Love this videomakes me smile
Amazing and inspirational I so wish they had something like this close to us for my son he would love this completely