‘Upside-Down People’ is an invitation to swing yourself upside-down and into the different sensory and social world of an autistic person who struggles with humans, yet belongs with Bats.

Combining hand-drawn animation, multi-sensory materials, sound art, reflected shadow puppetry, and layered moving images, ‘Upside-Down People’ tells stories about personhood, threatened futures, and the preciousness of hope blossoming in the dark.

Created by autistic Walbanja-Yuin woman Sara Kian-Judge, ‘Upside-Down People’ is proudly supported by neurodivergent graduates from Melbourne Polytechnic and Youthworx Media. Set underneath a canopy of The Capitol’s extraordinary roof lighting system, ‘Upside-Down People’ features lightscapes designed by students from the RMIT Digital Media’s Heightened Multisensory Experience studio.

Join us for an open-hearted flight into the dark guided by intense care for our threatened Bat species and autistic inclusion in the world, stitched together by story-telling that is equal parts raw and whimsical.

Presented in partnership with Zoos Victoria.

Supported by Melbourne Polytechnic Creative Arts (Sound, Music & Screen).

The Capitol Innovation Fund contributes to the funding of this work. The fund enables an applied, practice-based approach through creative initiatives.

Creative team

Sara Kian-Judge – Walbanja-Yuin – Lead Artist

Jodie Austin – Ngunnawal – Animation

Eav Brennan – Bat Costume & Creative Support

David Mackenzie – Mentor Artist/Filmmaker

Adam Velo – Media & Videography

Caitlin Hudson – Media & Videography

Talia Mason – Media & Videography

Madison Wilkinson – Media & Photography