Alison Smith

Alison is Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent, BSL is her 2nd language, along with being a valued and respected part of the Deaf Community.

Alison brings over three decades of experience in her media work including in the creative industries equalities practice, project management, fundraising and budgeting across the arts. She was an early digital inclusion innovator/campaigner at @PeskyPeople. Moving across to Scottish film festivals with Scottish Queer International Film Festival in 2015 Alison with SQIFF changed the landscape within the Scottish Festival circuit of how best practice of accessibility and inclusion is embedded for filmmakers, audiences, venues, and marginalised communities. Working as an Access Coordinator for SANDS International Film Festival, Iberadocs, Femspectives and Take One Action. As Equalities Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Screen Scotland she led and wrote the Scottish specific criteria and delivery of the BFI Screen Scotland Diversity Standards Pilot.

Alison is passionate about Deaf, Disabled and Neurodivergent rights starting her career at Arts Council England. She has worked with a wide range of arts organisations across multiple disciplines. Alison is also a BSL Poet Performer/filmmaker with her work presented in the UK and internationally. Her poem film collaboration Fingers toured with BFI Love Season 2015.