An award-winning social enterprise is launching new series of workshops and training for young people from underrepresented communities interested in digital storytelling.
The social enterprise GORM is launching anew pilot talent development programme ‘The Wideshot’ which is aimed at increasing cultural and ethnic representation in the creative media industry, as well as to break down growing divisions in Ireland. The programme, supported by the YPCE Project Award 2023, offers young people aged 18 and 25 the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in digital storytelling, creative media and multimedia alongside professional industry mentors during several workshops.
This is followed by a week-long summer programme, during which eight selected individuals will get to tell their own story by creating a digital media piece. The Wideshot Programme participants are recruited through the programme’s four charity partners: Africa Centre, AMAL Women’s Association, Doras Luimni and Irish Traveller Movement.
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GORM chief Mamobo Ogoro says: “Highlighting and amplifying the voices, experiences and stories of diverse communities on and off the screen is a part of our core objectives at GORM. Personally, though I have lived in Ireland for most of my life, I had never seen different stories of my community in Irish film or media growing up. That's why I am so pleased that GORM is supported by the YPCE Project Award 2023 to equip and empower young people of ethnically diverse communities to tell their stories through creative media.
"With this launch and the development of The Wideshot Programme, we see a creative media industry where stories of different communities are adequately expressed on screen through the work and collaboration of people from those communities on and off screen.”
Traveller Youth Programme, Irish Traveller Movement National Coordinator Rose Marie Maughan says: "At present Travellers have almost no say in what is articulated about Traveller life and our Culture and like with other underrepresented groups have no decision-making status in media content. Sadly, Traveller Identity in presenting and articulating news within features, drama and entertainment is largely invisible. We believe this programme will enhance diversity within media in Ireland and we are delighted to play a key role in this.”
Doras chief John Lannon believes this programme is a significant opportunity for refugees. He said: “For minority and underrepresented communities, and particularly for young people whose background often excludes them, the use of digital media to explore issues of identity and belonging offers intriguing opportunities to share their perspectives. The level of interest in the programme from young refugees shows that there is huge interest in becoming digital storytellers, and this is something we’re very happy to see.”
The large interest in the programme from young people demonstrates an existing desire to establish The Wideshot Programme as a recurring programme, a spokeswoman for Gorm has said.
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