The PUSH ME films are now released into The Space, this summer’s go-to destination to discover the UK’s incredibly rich and vibrant arts and culture scene.

Epic in scale and substance each film is packed into just 90 seconds: watch them to find out how the artists are pushing themselves and see how what they are creating is pushing others.

The films capture some truly extraordinary scenes: coral, fish and a woman in a wheelchair underwater. Laughing at the idea of being inspirational. Sirens being orchestrated into music. A connection forming across continents through the understanding of what it really means to be alive.

These short films give just a taste of the compelling work of artists from across the UK - including South West artist Sue Austin in her underwater wheelchair reframing perceptions of what is possible. Other featured artists are composer, musician and performer Jez Colborne in Irresistible, visual artist Rachel Gadsden and South African artist/activist Nondumiso Hlwele and the Bambanani Group with Unlimited Global Alchemy, plus sit down stand up comedian Laurence Clark.

PUSH ME is a collaboration produced by Watershed. It is an invitation into the journey of 12 artists working as part of Unlimited, part of the Cultural Olympiad programme. Discover all 12 artists at pushmeplease.co.uk.

Unlimited celebrates disability, arts and culture on an unprecedented scale and encourages disabled and deaf artists to push beyond their personal best and to push themselves to reach previously unattained goals. PUSH ME is one of the 53 digital arts commissions for The Space. The Space has been created by Arts Council England in partnership with the BBC to bring highlights from the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad to the widest possible audience.

The films are the first in a series of 24 short films, all just 90 seconds long. The PUSH ME team are making a longer documentary at the Unlimited Festival at Southbank, part of the London 2012 Festival, that will be included in The Space, supported by a blog at pushmeplease.co.uk. Each film has three versions (standard, subtitles, and audio description) to enable access for all.

Jo Verrent, PUSH ME co-curator says:

“Everyone has 90 seconds to spare, so go on and push yourself to watch these brilliant films. Our vision is audaciously ambitious. We want to use The Space to amplify the impact of the artists. This has the power to change the way in which disability and creativity are viewed throughout the cultural sector.”

Phil Gibby, Arts Council England’s Director for the South West said:

“The Space is a new and exciting way to experience the arts at a time when there is a wealth of arts activity during the Cultural Olympiad. Push Me profiles our Unlimited projects for Deaf and disabled artists and provides an excellent opportunity for people all over the world to see the fantastic range of arts which these projects encompass.”

PUSH ME is a commission from Arts Council England with additional investment from Creative Scotland, and is produced by Watershed.

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