Film Fest - Greymouth Short Films
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Our Stories
West Coast Film Fest
7th May 2008
Over 140 people gathered in the Karoro Learning Centre hall in Greymouth to watch the films that students from St Patrick’s and Westland High Schools had made following their time getting to know a disabled person. The films were stunning, each depicting the realities of getting to know other people, developing understandings of the experiences of disabled people and how they lead their lives.
Parents, teachers, friends, students and members of the public watched 12 film clips that students from both schools had produced, each with their own uniqueness’s. During the intervals, people who had been involved in the production of the clips spoke. Vicki Birchfield described what it was like for her as a disabled person being interviewed and filmed. Twelve students from Westland High spoke about their experiences with one commenting that they now stopped and talked to that person when passing in the street. Jan Ashby, a student teacher at St Patrick’s spoke of her experience and learning while supporting students through the film making.
The film fest was a fitting end to the ‘Our Stories’ project on the West Coast. It was clear that the students had put a great deal of thought and effort into the production of their film clips. For many of these students, it was the first time they had any interaction with disabled people and the awareness that came from this certainly impacted significantly on many.
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