Express Yourself participants work on short film

City Arts is giving a group of young people from Gedling the opportunity to write, direct, produce and star in their own short film, which will be entered into Gedling’s first film festival.  In workshops that started last month the group are working with filmmaker and long-time City Arts collaborator Anthony McCourt.

The workshops are part of City Arts’ Express Yourself programme, which supports young people in Gedling facing issues related to their mental health and wellbeing. Those enrolled on the programme are taught new creative skills, which they use to produce high quality creative art works ranging from sculpture to film. Using their new skills, and getting great results, inspires confidence in those taking part; helping them find their creative voice & uncover new tools for self-expression.

Filmmaker Anthony McCourt expressed his excitement at working on the project:

“Working alongside young people is always fun! They come up with some really creative ideas and we give them the freedom to put them across, however wacky they may be!”

The film will be submitted to Gedling’s first film festival, to be held at Bonington Theatre, Arnold, in early May 2014. Gedling Film Festival is being organised by HotHouse Theatre, working in partnership with Gedling Borough Council. It will show feature films selected by the public and short films created by local filmmakers.

We are really excited – fingers crossed our submission is accepted!

Another Express Yourself programme, aimed at young people in care, recently finished. Participants worked with artist Sam Metz to make animated shorts. Check out this fantastic little marching bean film, created by one of the young people: