15th Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival (BBB)
–Human Traces–
BBB in the neighborhood – Spetses
Empowering Youth Through Film and Environmental Awareness
BBB in the neighborhood – Spetses, through its content, it aims at empowering youth through film and environmental awareness. It is a parallel activity of the 15th Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival – Human Traces that will take place in Spetses from the 9th to the 12th of October. BBB in the neighborhood – Spetses “Empowering Youth Through Film and Environmental Awareness” is an innovative educational initiative which aims at engaging students from General Lyceum of Spetses. The project will take place during the festival days.
The project will provide students with the opportunity to learn basic filmmaking skills while raising awareness about critical environmental issues affecting their island. This initiative is part of a bilateral collaboration between Greece and France, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme and is taking place within the framework of the 15 th edition of Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival.
The primary objectives of the project are:
- To educate and equip students with basic filmmaking techniques.
- To raise awareness about environmental sustainability and the future of the island of
- Spetses.
- To encourage students to creatively express their thoughts and visions through short
- films.
- To foster critical thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving among students.
- To give the opportunity to the participating students to present their work to French students through a special screening that will take place in France organized by our french partner organization.
The project will consist of three core activities:
- Filmmaking Workshops: Two hands-on sessions (2 hours each) designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of storytelling through film.
- Haiku Storytelling: Students will learn storytelling techniques and will learn how to create short visual narratives in three shots, developing skills in creative structuring and storytelling. → 10/10, Thursday, 16:00 – 17.30
- Behind the Camera: Practical training on how to use mobile phones and basic equipment for shooting, helping students understand the technical aspects of filmmaking. → 11/10, Friday, 16:00 – 17.30
- Filmmaking Marathon: After the workshops, students will participate in a filmmaking marathon where they will create a short video using their mobile phones. The videos will explore themes such as environmental challenges on their island, the future they envision, and the unique beauty of island life. → 11/10, Friday, 18.00 – 12/10, Saturday, 12.30
- Haiku-videos screening: Following the marathon, the students’ short films will be presented in a screening event for their peers, teachers, and the broader community of Spetses, creating a platform for dialogue and reflection. →12/10, Friday, 17.00 – 18.30
What the participating students will gain:
This project presents a unique opportunity for [School Name] to engage students in a creative and meaningful way. It combines the development of artistic skills with environmental education, aligning with the school’s broader mission to foster well-rounded, socially conscious, and engaged students. Furthermore, the project highlights the importance of empowering students living in remote areas, offering them tools and experiences they may not typically encounter.
By participating, students will enhance their ability to critically assess their surroundings, engage with climate-related issues, and express their creativity through modern media. This programme will help equip them with vital skills in filmmaking, collaboration, and critical thinking, all of which are relevant in today’s educational landscape.
Expected Outcomes
- Skill Development: Participants will learn the basics of filmmaking, storytelling, and video production, enhancing their technical and creative skills.
- Increased Environmental Awareness: Students will gain a deeper understanding of the environmental challenges facing their island and learn how they can contribute to positive change.
- Empowerment through Creativity: The project aims to boost participants’ confidence, showing them that their ideas and stories have value and can be shared with the wider community.
- Community Engagement: The final film screening will offer a space for dialogue among students, teachers, and local community members, fostering a shared understanding of the role of youth in shaping the future of Spetses.
We invite General Lyceum of Spetses to support this project by encouraging student participation and providing a venue for the workshops and the final film screening. The school’s involvement will help ensure the success of the project and provide an enriching experience for the students. Weare confident that this project will greatly benefit both the students and the wider community of Spetses and look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with General Lyceum of Spetses on this initiative.
In cooperation with Action Bomaye and co-funded by the EU.