This film is a fictional story inspired by real innovations emerging from within Taylor's ecosystem. A sibling's desire to support a loved one evolves, through this narrative, into a reflection on how technology might better serve communities that are often overlooked, exploring broader questions of inclusion, access, and understanding.

Within Taylor’s Impact Labs, ideas are not treated as isolated concepts, but as starting points for meaningful change. The initiative creates space for academics, partners, and students to move beyond technical problem-solving and towards human-centred innovation, where empathy, cultural awareness, and societal relevance guide development. Real-world projects such as TALKBIM, a mobile app focused on real-time translation of Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia into text, exemplify this approach by addressing accessibility through a deep understanding of the Deaf community in Malaysia.

_{TALKBIM is an AI-powered mobile app that converts Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) into real-time text, bridging communication between Malaysia’s Deaf and Hearing communities. Locally trained and culturally accurate, it enhances social inclusion across education, work and everyday life.}

The film draws inspiration from this environment rather than depicting a specific individual or project. Its characters represent broader possibilities made visible through education that prioritises impact and inclusion. The process portrayed on screen mirrors the ethos behind Impact Labs: questioning assumptions, refining intent, and recognising that meaningful innovation takes shape through care, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The moments of tension within the film reflect this reality, reminding us that progress is often iterative, shaped by reflection as much as action.

_{“Directing ‘Speaking Hands’ was a special experience for me. Shaping the story alongside my team, and telling something unfamiliar to our own experiences, was humbling and deeply meaningful — a reminder of why I love what I do.”}

_{— Didrieana Izmin, Film Director, [Pinang Films]}

In telling this story, we did not set out to dramatise disability or present innovation as a perfect solution. Instead, the film reflects a quieter and more honest truth that impactful ideas often emerge when lived experience is supported by the right environment. The moments of tension and hesitation within the film are deliberate. They mirror the realities of designing for inclusivity within systems that were not originally built with everyone in mind. These scenes are not intended to evoke sympathy, but recognition, and a deeper understanding of why inclusive innovation matters.