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Stephanie Dower is a filmmaker, producer, and access coordinator passionate about transforming the landscape of the Australian screen industry through the lens of disability. A dedicated storyteller, she fosters inclusive stories that champion under-represented voices.
Stephanie’s career began at university where she was encouraged to join a masterclass program which exposed her to the world of professional filmmaking.
Despite this, she initially struggled with internalised ableism— a type of self doubt which societal assumptions about disability then has an impact on how an individual views their own potential.
“If you're exposed to that all your life, it starts to impact how you see yourself and how you view what you can and can't do in reality,” Stephanie says.
She initially doubted her ability to pursue a full film degree, fearing she couldn't handle the physical demands of being on set for 14 hours. It wasn't until a mentor challenged her assumptions — reminding her of the many pathways in film.
“It's not until someone else calls out your bullshit...There is no reason that I can't do it. I can make it work.”
Stephanie Dower
In 2024, Stephanie directed episodes of the Screen Australia supported online series Path to Paris which saw her travel to the Paris 2024 Paralympics for filming of the series.
“When people... watch a film and they're like, 'oh wow. I really related to that character. Or I felt seen or understood'—that's the feeling that you wanna give other people,” she explains.
The filmmaker is also a leading expert in access and inclusion within the screen sector.
A much sought after access coordinator, Stephanie makes people feel comfortable by ensuring their needs are met within professional or creative environments.
“I feel like I'm doing the work that I should be doing when I talk to people and they're like, 'oh, I feel heard…just by you reaching out and saying I'm here if you have any access requirements you wanna chat through…’
In 2024, Stephanie served as Access Coordinator for feature films Spit and Amazon Studios’ The Bluff, which was released earlier this year.
By serving as a dedicated support person, Stephanie helps individuals to feel confident and
comfortable in their work environment, so they can fully participate and feel they belong in the industry.
However, the road has not been without significant challenges for the talented filmmaker.
Following a bout of pneumonia, Stephanie recalls a doctor asking if she wanted to be saved if her heart stopped, a question she believes was only asked because of her disability.
“As if our lives are any less... as if it would be a kindness to let us go, [but] I actually think having a disability makes life more interesting,” she reflects.
The experience highlighted the often-ignored gap between the medical community's perception and the lived reality of disabled people.
“I spoke to someone later who had been a nurse because…maybe they do ask every 30-year-old woman. And I was like, ‘was that because of the disability?’ She said ‘oh yeah’…That’s a shame.”
Looking toward the future, she calls for greater representation in politics and leadership positions to ensure a louder collective voice for those within the disability community.
"Unless you've had your human rights debated on Parliament floor, you don't really know what that feels like," she says. “Your life is in the hands of the rest of society, so I think that gives you a deeper appreciation of your rights [and] what oppression is.”
Despite this, Stephanie continues to work towards a more inclusive society. Whether it is through her role as an access coordinator or seeing audiences relate to her characters on screen, her goal is to provide others with a sense of belonging.
“You know that saying you can't be what you can't see? I have an issue with that saying because you can be what you can't see…people forge their own paths every day. I belong…I can fully participate in whatever I want to.I belong. I guess access granted means I can fully participate in whatever I want to…The world is your oyster.”
Stephanie Dower