County Wexford Youth Film Project
County Wexford Youth Film Project is based in St. Michael’s Theatre, New Ross. The project trains young people aged 13 – 20 in the art of filmmaking and provides them with an opportunity for creative expression through an accessible and exciting medium. All of the films produced are either written or devised by the participants, and reflect themes and issues relevant to the young peoples’ lives.
The project was initiated during 2005 as a partnership initiative between The Arts Department of Wexford County Council, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and St. Michael’s Theatre. Filmmaker Terence White currently directs the programme. To date over 400 young people throughout the county have participated in County Wexford Youth Film Project.
The aims of the project are:
• To provide an opportunity to strengthen the base for Youth Arts participation within County Wexford
• To strengthen the position of film within the context of the County Arts Programme
• To create increased access to filmmaking
• To train young people in the art of the filmmaking process
• To facilitate creativity in young people
Filmmaking courses take place throughout the year and the key areas covered include:
• Camera operation
• Sound recording
• Film lighting
• Directing for screen
• Acting for screen
• Scriptwriting
• Postproduction
• Special effects
In addition to the programme based in St. Michael’s Theatre, the project also works in partnership with various communities throughout the county in facilitating outreach film projects for young people. These communities include Cottage Autism Network, Gorey Youth Needs, Ramsgrange C.D.P., Treoin Youth Diversion Programme, As We Are, Wexford Area Partnership [Bunclody], Ballymurn and Campile.
The project has also received funding through The Arts Council’s Young Ensembles Scheme for integrated youth film projects. In 2009 an outreach project involved young people from the Traveller and settled communities working together to create a film over a three-month period. A filmmaking project based in Wexford Town in 2011 integrated young people from special schools and mainstream education.
County Wexford Youth Film Project is now on Facebook
Wexford Widescreen Youth Film Festival
The youth film project also coordinates Wexford Widescreen Youth Film Festival in St. Michael’s Theatre each year. The films made by the project throughout the year receive a gala premiere as part of the festival. In addition to the film screenings, the young people are presented with DVDs and certificates of participation.
Wexford Widescreen also highlights the filmmaking talent in the county by providing a showcase for young people who are making films on their own, or through school and youth groups.
The films produced during the project are also submitted to national and international youth film festivals and have won several awards.
Photos from Wexford Widescreen Youth Film Festival
