On Saturday 2nd May we held our CashBack For Creativity and BFI Film Academy annual showcase, screening to a packed auditorium in Filmhouse. Fifteen films made by young people aged 10-19 screened to an audience of family, friends and invited guests.
Young filmmakers from across Edinburgh and the Lothians for Cashback and the South East of Scotland for BFI got to experience the amazing feeling of seeing their work on the big screen and being appreciated by an enthusiastic audience.
The screening was presented by CashBack filmmaker Rebecca Morgan and BFI Film Academy filmmaker Liam Chisholme who spoke passionately about their experiences on the projects. The audience then settled down to watch a programme of diverse short films; everything from music videos to surreal comedy, horror to political satire. By showcasing the CashBack and BFI projects together the young people get to see progressive pathways and opportunities for future development within the moving image; something that is vitally important to us.
Not only did the young people on these projects gain specific film knowledge and understanding as well as transferable life skills, over 70 of them gained qualifications through Arts Award.
James Riordan, the Lead Youth Development Worker – Alternative to Crime Project had this to say about our Cashback for Creativity project with his group; “Through being involved in diversionary activities and projects such as the film programme with Screen Education Edinburgh, Young People, who have been involved in anti-social/offending behavior, have the opportunity to be part of something positive and to get a taste of new activities and skills they wouldn’t normally have access to. Through working with Screen Education Edinburgh our Group have learned to adapt to different scenarios which in turn has led to them increasing their levels of self-esteem, allowing them to develop as confident Young People”.
