Christchurch Film Festival to Focus on Human Rights in Africa
One hundred Year 7 and 8 students will present thirty original short films at a special film festival in Christchurch
next week.
The culmination of their studies into human rights in Africa will see the Selwyn House senior school host the
presentation at the Philip Carter Family Auditorium at the Christchurch Art Gallery on Tuesday.
Year 7 and 8 Team Leader, Rachel Huggins, says the “Looking for the Light” film festival has given the students a
vehicle to express social justice issues in an original and creative way.
“The girls have been working with so much intensity and creativity to share their learning from their study into human
rights issues in Africa,” she says.
“The film festival will showcase the student’s original films, giving the audience an insight into both their technical
film making ability and the significant impact this topic has had on each girl involved.”
For the last term, the senior school has been looking at the needs of the African people, the geographical and political
situation in Africa and how aid agencies are working to make a difference.
“Last term, our Year 7 students organised schoolwide support for the Volunteer Services Abroad’s Project Friendship,
raising $1000.
The short films are one minute in duration and incorporate animation, music (including original compositions) and some
girls also act in their films.
“The short film idea comes from a German competition where young people are encouraged to make a movie based on an
issue; to communicate something significant and take action creating a positive outcome,” says Mrs Huggins.
“At Selwyn House, we encourage our students to think critically and develop their projects as creatively and originally
as possible,” she says.
The “Looking for Light” Film Festival will present the original works in two sessions on Tuesday 8th November; one at
6.45pm and the other at 8pm, at the Philip Carter Family Auditorium at the Christchurch Art Gallery. It will be open to
invited guests, student families and friends of the school. Because of seating limitations, the festival is not open to
the public.