Oska Bright Film Festival 2026
Opening Night
Saturday 28 March • 7pm to 10:30pm
Brighton Dome Corn Exchange
We’re excited to launch this year’s festival with a new initiative by Oska Bright, in partnership with film distributor Tull Stories, to release and distribute feature-length films made by or featuring learning disabled people to cinemas in the UK and abroad.
Our opening night is introduced by the Oska Bright programming crew with a keynote speech from Matthew Hellett, followed by a performance by pianist, Chapman Shum.
We are delighted to be joined by the Being Ola team for a post-show Q&A.
Book your tickets below and we’ll see you there!
Chapman Shum is a 15-year-old blind and neurodivergent pianist. Born with a rare condition, he lives with autism, learning and speech difficulties, and progressive hearing loss. He discovered music aged six and has since achieved outstanding musical success, passing ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction at 11 and earning the ARSM Diploma in Piano Performance at just 13. He is currently a junior student at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and has featured on programmes including Blue Peter and Channel 4’s
The Piano.
Oska Bright Film Festival Opening Night kicks off in:
In this screening:
Being Ola
Ragnhild Noest Bergem, NORWAY • 72 mins
This warm-hearted documentary follows a learning disabled man, Ola, who lives in the village of Vidaråsen, whose 150 residents are a mix of people with and without disabilities. When Ola’s close friend Lasse leaves the community, he reflects on life and what he can do to become more independent. Being Ola celebrates the importance of equality and belonging as a basis for daring to embrace who you really are. It’s a close and honest portrait that helps bridge the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them’.