The New Balls (Henbury School, Australia, 2023) is a tender short from a school community that looks at individuality and the small, joyful ways people express themselves. Set in a school environment, the film uses playdough as a visual and tactile element to explore creativity, learning and personal choice. It offers quiet, honest moments that invite viewers to notice the skills, humour and resilience of young people. As part of the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival, this work celebrates ability and difference without grand statements. It encourages us to pay attention to everyday acts of making, belonging and self expression.
Yay! It's school time! It's school time! It's school time! Huh? Are those new balls? Who are they? I don't get it. They're so new. Hi, I'm Jiggy Ball. Meow. Hi, I'm Puppy Ball. Ruff! What's that? It's a ball! It's a ball! What's that? It's a ball! Hey, new balls. Ha ha, puny balls. Ha ha, yeah. Ow! My tail! Where are you taking us? This is our school. And we don't want you here. And we don't want you here. Ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. Meow. Meow. Meow. Meow. Let's play Punk the Balls. Meow. Ha ha ha ha ha. Ha ha ha ha ha. What are you? Huh? New balls? Green Punk Balls, come to the office. Now. Now. This is unacceptable, Balls. You need to be kind to the others instead of being so mean. It's not too late for you two to change. Now, go and apologise. What do you know? Why are you both at the house today? Sorry. Sorry for hurting your feelings. Don't worry about it. Can you forgive us? We forgive you. And that's the end.
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