Free film making workshops for young people from culturally diverse backgrounds are being held during the next two school holidays by WHY Documentaries and Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra.
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Producer and director Sandra Pires said the workshops are part of the U & Me project that has already produced a series of short films.
After receiving Fostering Integration funding from the Department of Home Affairs WHY Documentaries and MCCI will now work with young people from refugee and migrant communities on six new films about best friends from different cultural backgrounds.
Celebrities such as entertainers and sports stars are also being sought for the films including Penrith Panthers players who have already signed on.
Mrs Pires said young people aged between 15 and 25 are invited to register for the workshops at https://film-workshop.eventbrite.com.
"There are only 10 spots these upcoming holidays and another 10 spots in October school holidays," she said.
"Students will learn about video and content production and will film celebrities for the films this time round including singers and sports stars.
Mrs Pires said it was a great project to be involved with as a producer because the short films of three to five minutes duration showcased "our wonderful multicultural Australia".
She said the next series of films were in part inspired by the success of other U & Me films including a couple involving players from the St George Illawarra Dragons.
"We got a lot of good feed back. That was the driving force in helping us apply for this grant. Those films broke down a lot of barriers," Mrs Pires said.
The players were impressed with how genuine the young people from the different cultural backgrounds were. And the youth involved felt more accepted a result of the experience.
The first films in the project were done in back yards.
"One of the stories that resonated the most was the two neighbours. It involved an Italian man and an Australian man talking over the backyard fence," Mrs Pires said.
"We really liked that concept which then turned into U & Me which is a series on best friends from different cultural backgrounds.
"We are wanting to continue it. It is my favourite project. Every time I think of some of the friendships and things it automatically gives you that warm fuzzy feeling".
Mrs Pires said one thing she had tried to do with the films is giving the viewer the chance to see things from a different perspective.
"We do on the news so much about racism. But these beautiful friendships are happening everywhere. We need to hear those as well," she said.
"We are still looking for more funding. The more funding we can get the more stories we can film.
The previous U & Me project films can be viewed on the U & Me website.
People can also produce and upload their own stories at uandme.com.au.
"We are hoping in the end these will be good school resources," Mrs Pires said.
Read more:
- Why Documentaries wins a NSW Premier's Award for its use of digital media in a campaign about forced marriage in Australia
- Sandra Pires and Why Documentaries win national award
- Illawarra documentary film series U & Me shortlisted for national 'Racism. It Stops With Me' Australian Human Rights Commission Award 2017
- The Wollongong filmed story about Pig Iron Bob and the Dalfram Dispute to be screened on the History Channel
- Gong film maker a two time finalist at national multicultural marketing awards
- WATCH: Port Kembla wharf's wonder woman
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
