The young film makers created a press release for the launch of their film.
Young Film Makers Bridge Gaps with their Canary Wharf Neighbors
14th December - A team of young filmmakers from Poplar celebrated the completion of their docu-drama about building bridges between Canary Wharf and young people in Tower Hamlets this week.
The fifteen young filmmakers, aged between 13-15 years old, are all members of local youth group Leaders in Community. Their short film, entitled “Canary Wharf Neighbours”, aims to break down stereotypes about young people in Poplar and city workers in Canary Wharf, and was created over a period of six months, under the direction of a post-graduate and industry trained local film-maker, Abdul Miah.
Despite living only five minutes away from Canary Wharf, many of the young people felt disconnected from London’s financial district and the people working there. Through the project, which was entirely youth-led, they interviewed and spoke to a number of city professionals and got a chance to learn about employment opportunities available to local young people in Canary Wharf. “It’s been a really fun experience and I’ve learnt loads of new skills, especially editing” said Fahim Miah, while according to Nozir Ali, “the best thing was the acting”.
The project participants were also taught scriptwriting, filming, editing and music production by Abdul Miah, who praised their efforts and progress: “It's been an epic journey, from our very first session, to where we got to see the kids develop and really take ownership of this film – I’m really proud of them.”
This film-making project has been funded by Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association, as part of an ongoing set of programs to raise aspirations and build skills in young people in the Poplar area. “Canary Wharf Neighbours” will be screened publicly in early January 2011.
For further information please contact: Jilll Fricker on 07960 894 745 (Jill.Fricker@poplarharca.co.uk) or Momtaz Begum on 0207 987 8796
(Momtaz@licconsultancy.co.uk)
About Leaders in Community
LIC is a youth-led organisation for young leaders across Tower Hamlets and Newham that has been working since 2006 to empower young people in leadership and governance through creativity. Our aim is to be the motivating force that will enable and allow young people to take up leadership and management roles in decision-making structures in our local communities. We provide an environment of creative learning in project development, management, fundraising and leadership skills.
About Poplar Housing and Regeneration Community Association
Poplar HARCA is a registered social landlord which owns and manages around 8,500 homes in Poplar, East London. Our role is to help bring about the social, urban and economic regeneration of the Poplar area. We operate in an area of long-standing social and economic deprivation with high levels of social exclusion. We aim to meet the need for good quality affordable housing. We are a non-profit organisation and a registered charity.
About Abdul Miah
Abdul Miah is a formally trained Broadcast Journalist and film-maker from East London. He has worked for a number of media organisations including BBC Radio, Bloomberg Television, United Nations IRIN News, the Press Association and Radio Salaam Shalom. He is currently working on a freelance basis on media-related community projects.
