By Joe Moulins
For years, I’ve worked in journalism and documentary filmmaking, telling powerful stories about disability and disability rights. I’ve also spent just as long trying to create real opportunities for disabled filmmakers—only to see funding, training, and jobs go to non-disabled professionals.
The industry loves to say it supports disabled creators, but too often, it offers surface-level solutions: token hires, inaccessible training, and limited creative control for those with lived experience.
I believe there’s a better way.
Enter Punkeye Pictures.
We’re not just making films—we’re building a structured, scalable training pipeline where disabled individuals learn by doing. We don’t force people into traditional film school models that aren’t designed for them. Instead, we identify and nurture the skills they already have, letting their talents emerge naturally over time.
How it works
We start with simple, structured video projects that are fun, achievable, and rewarding. Clients and caregivers work together to capture small daily moments—one video clip, one photo—building toward larger creative projects. The process provides meaning, structure, and engagement, and over time, it fosters real storytelling skills.
The long-term goal? To train and develop a new generation of disabled filmmakers—people with lived experience who have stories to tell and time to hone their craft.
Launching the pilot program
We’re kicking things off with a three-month pilot in partnership with forward-thinking organizations. This is an opportunity for disability service providers to offer something new, exciting, and structured—without adding extra work for staff. The results? Engaged clients, enthusiastic caregivers, and meaningful creative output.
What comes next?
Some of these clients will emerge as true filmmakers, ready to take on bigger projects. Punkeye Pictures is built to scale, adapting to the strengths of its participants and shaping future productions around them.
If you’re an organization that supports disabled individuals, a filmmaker looking to collaborate, or someone who just believes in the power of authentic storytelling—let’s talk.
This is just the beginning.
Joe Moulins is a Vancouver filmmaker who directed Citizen Sam and A Tribe of His Own: The Journalism of P. Sainath. This commentary originally appeared on his Linkedin profile. Follow Pancouver on X @PancouverMedia, Bluesky @pancouver.bsky.social, and Instagram @PancouverMedia.
