Community Art Program - Film Making Courses
On this page
Overview
Short Story Big Screen is a comprehensive film-making project that was designed to provide an opportunity for people from diverse backgrounds to tell their stories.
What were the aims of the project?
The aim of the project was to bring together police and people from diverse backgrounds to strengthen their relationships in a safe and secure environment. Participants were exposed to the art of filmmaking during two separate six week film making courses to produce their own short film.
What was involved?
The Canberra PCYC is part of the Crime Prevention Unit within the Australian Federal Police's ACT Policing. The unit was provided with some funding from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to run an arts program of their choice.
The Canberra PCYC has focused on engaging the community through sport. While this has been very successful, it does not provide recreational opportunities for those not interested in sport. The Community Art Program aims to fill this gap while providing an opportunity for people of diverse cultural backgrounds to connect with the wider community.
The film making workshops were run over several weekends in May to July 2009, presented by filmmakers from Sydney. The focus of the workshops was to inspire participants to find and express meaningful and transformative stories that address, explore and dramatise the issues around cultural diversity.
Classes in the Short Story Big Screen course included topics such as social inclusion, harmony, cohesion and participation. The films centred on the participants' tribal identity. For example, a group they feel they belong to.
Film making requires people to work as a team. This program encouraged people to support each other during the film making process. An online forum was also created to allow participants to share ideas and advice.
The project was funded by DIAC's National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security Community Grants in 2008.
Who participated?
The program was marketed to diverse communities, and particularly Muslim Australians. It encouraged engagement between Muslim and non-Muslim communities. It also provided an opportunity for networking with people from a variety of backgrounds, including police officers and community support workers. The social networking skills that participants developed will build their confidence to become active members of the community.
What were the outcomes?
At the conclusion of the course participants had their films screened at the National Film and Sound Archive in Canberra.
Where can I get more information?
Further information on this project is available.
See: Short Story Big Screen
Constable Adrian Muscat
Centre Manager, Erindale PCYC
ACT Policing
Australian Federal Police
Telephone: 02 6296 1292
Website: Australian Federal Police