Films showcase a big hit

Image of young film-makers shooting footage for their '...and we are not terrorists' film as part of Peace Effects Media's project 'Shooting for Change - Creating More Peaceful Communities Through The Moving Image'

A showcase of films made by youngsters from the borough have been shown at the Rochdale Connections Trust.

The four short films were made in conjunction with Peace Effects Media as part of their project 'Shooting for Change - Creating more peaceful communities through the moving image.'

Young people aged between eight and 22 were involved in making the films.

Steve Cooke from Peace Effects Media, said: “The aim is to give young people a voice and the chance to explore issues that matter to them.”

One of the films shown was called ‘Change the ending’ the film was made by 12 young people belonging to the Vinvolved Project.

The film was funded by Big Lottery and is aimed at an audience of Primary School Children. This short film was scripted and acted by the young people and implements the training delivered by Peace Effects Media in Conflict Resolution Skills.

Another film shown was ‘…and, we are not terrorists,’ this is the second time this film has been shown. It is a short film made by 12 young Asian males aged 14-17 from the Rochdale area belonging to a group based at Rochdale Connections Trust.

This film was funded by the Youth Opportunities Fund and is an exploration of the issues regarding the portrayal of young Asian males in the media as potential terrorists.

‘Turn that frown upside down’ was the third film on offer, this film was made by 15 girls and boys aged 8-10 from Wardle St. James Primary School in Rochdale.

The film was funded by Rochdale’s Youth Service and tells the story of how the pupils of the school addressed conflict issues that arose in their playground; and how they worked together to fund and design a new playground with rules of behaviour they established. It also expresses their views on how we can create more peaceful communities.

Through a series of workshops the participants storyboarded, acted, directed, and formed film units.

The final film, ‘You’re Not Alone’ – was made by 15 girls and boys from St. Patricks Primary School, Rochdale.

This film funded by Rochdale’s Youth Service was made by the young people who, through a series of workshops, storyboarded, scripted, directed , performed sketches and formed film units to produce a film showing how to create more peaceful communities.
Mr Cooke was thrilled with the turnout and the response to the films, he said: “We had a great turnout there were people from all different cultures and communities from across the borough. The showcasing went really well and the films were very well received.

“I think some people were genuinely moved by the films, people find it interesting seeing young people tackling such issues.”

Mr Cooke added: “We want to show these films to as many people as we can, this can open doors for the young people and we would also like to get more young people involved.”

All participants were given a DVD of their film project and encouraged to show it to family, friends and members of their local communities.

Peace Effects Media are planning, in conjunction with Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and Link4Life, to screen the films as part of events promoting the United Nations International Day of Peace and Non-violence with its sister organisation Peace Parade UK - PPUK organises the UK’s only official and public observation of this very unique day.