Is There Anybody Out There Discussion Guide

Born with a rare disability, filmmaker Ella Glendining wonders if there is anyone who can share the experience of living in a body like hers. This simple question–one which non disabled people take for granted, leads to a journey to not only others who live like her–but to the realization that meeting them changes how she views herself in the world, as well as many surprises along the way.

This guide is an invitation to dialogue. It is based on a belief in the
power of human connection and designed for people who want
to use Is There Anybody Out There? to engage family, friends,
classmates, colleagues, and communities. In contrast to initiatives
that foster debates in which participants try to convince others that
they are right, this document envisions conversations undertaken in
a spirit of openness in which people try to understand
The discussion prompts are intentionally crafted to help a wide
range of audiences think more deeply about the issues in the film.
Rather than attempting to address them all, choose one or two that
best meet your needs and interests. And be sure to leave time to
consider taking action. Planning next steps can help people leave
the room feeling energized and optimistic, even in instances when
conversations have been difficult.

For more detailed event planning and facilitation tips, visit https://communitynetwork.amdoc.org/.

About the Author

Kyla Harris, Discussion Guide Author
Kyla Harris is a filmmaker, writer and activist who applies
an intersectional approach to all of her work. She is a
member of the Disability Screen Advisory Group for the
British Film Institute (BFI) that advises and supports
inclusivity in the industry, including the most recent British
Film and Television Awards (BAFTA) Review. Kyla has
been a panelist for a number of organisations including
the BFI, Birds Eye View and Hot Docs Festival, often
advocating for people who share her own identities as a
queer, disabled women of colour. Along with Filmmakers
With Disabilities (FWD-Doc) she co-wrote A Toolkit for
Inclusion & Accessibility: Changing the Narrative of
Disability in Documentary Film in association with Doc
Society and Netflix as well as The FWD-Doc Engagement
Pack in association with Doc Society and the BFI. Her
short film It’s Personal, that she co-directed and wrote,
was commissioned by the Film Video Umbrella and is
their most viewed film to date. She is currently co-writing
a television series in development with Ash Atalla and
Roughcut TV for Channel 4.

DISCUSSION GUIDE PRODUCERS
Courtney B. Cook, Phd | Education Manager, POV
Anna Yarbrough | Education Assistant, POV