'Indisposed' 2023 Belfast Feminist Film School, Redressing the Gender Imbalance in the Film Industry

'Indisposed' was created in September 2023, during the Belfast Feminist Film School (BFFS)a programme that aims to empower women by providing them with the tools and knowledge to create films informed by a female frame of reference.
The school focuses on redressing the gender imbalance in the film industry by supporting women to write and make films on subjects that are significant to them and reflective of their lived experiences.
Indisposed focuses on the underrepresentation of women’s issues in cinema. The film examines menstruation, a subject often omitted or misrepresented in mainstream media. Shot in black and white, the film follows the central character throughout her day as she carries a red ball of wool and engages in the repetitive act of crocheting. This visual motif is used to symbolise the cyclical, often invisible labour women perform daily. By focusing on a seemingly mundane task, the film brings attention to the unspoken experiences of women, challenging the lack of meaningful representation of such themes in film.
Over the course of the week-long event, participants were introduced to feminist film theory and engaged in practical filmmaking workshops. They were guided by industry professionals and feminist filmmakers, who led discussions and technical sessions on various aspects of filmmaking, including screenwriting, cinematography, sound recording, and editing. The week featured screenings of films by key female directors, such as Booksmart (2019) by Olivia Wilde, Hush-A-Bye Baby (1990) by Margot Harkin, Fish Tank (2009) by Andrea Arnold, and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) by Ana Lily Amirpour. These films were screened to spark conversation and deepen understanding of feminist filmmaking practices.
Participants worked in small groups, each with a clear division of roles (Screenwriter, Director, Cinematographer, Sound Recordist, Editor), and collaborated to develop, write, and film short feminist-themed projects. The process encouraged participants to explore storytelling techniques and experiment with their vision for feminist film. The groups created two-page scripts, incorporating aspects of cinematography and sound, before moving into the practical stages of filming and editing.
The final day of the school was dedicated to editing the completed films, followed by a screening and celebration of the participants’ work, which included a party and feminist disco. Breakfast and lunch were provided each day, fostering a supportive and communal environment. Additionally, BFFS recognised that financial constraints and caregiving responsibilities can act as barriers to participation in filmmaking. As a result, bursaries were made available to 50% of the participants, ensuring accessibility to a diverse range of women.
At the conclusion of the programme, participants retained access to post-production facilities and filmmaking equipment, ensuring they had the support needed to continue their creative practice.