"That's us!" said Dushka Winkley, Sarah Green, Melissa Palmer, Michael Butler and Glen King as they watched their film 'Spoon Jackers' broadcast at The Concourse Concert Hall in Chatswood.

The five had travelled to Sydney on September 9 to represent the drama group at the Focus on Ability Short Film Festival. More than 500 people attended the festival and according to Valley Skills for Life support worker, Sue Payton, "the highlight of the trip was getting to see their film on the big screen."

Sue and support workers, Danielle Smith, Cess Robinson and Ian Payton travelled with the drama group members to Sydney for the festival awards night.

"We had a great time but we didn't win an award," Sue said. "For the students, the whole experience of making the film outweighed any award.

"They loved the fact that Paula Duncan was the hostess!"

'Spoon Jackers' was the first film project for the drama group and was created over six months with the guidance of support workers Cess Robinson and Danielle Smith.

The film credits list Katherine Carney, Dushka Winkley, Glen King, Daine Burns, Michael Butler, Kristy Muldoon, Mel Palmer, Damien Herring, Sarah Green, Nathaniel Clifton, Sam Thompson and Cathy Lord.

The students crafted the plot, acted in the film and then helped to edit 'Spoon Jackers.' It is a drama piece that sees the Valley Skills for Life Drama Group decide to take over the Valley Industries administration office armed with spoons, to get money to buy beer, chips and lollies. They restrain Valley Industries staff members in a variety of ways - on a treadmill, tied to a swing and a pole, on an operational treadmill and in a large cage - declaring 'The Ability to take over and party hard'.

ainslee.dennis@fairfaxmedia.com.au