Award-winning film-maker challenges “Wellywood’s” finest

Media Release 17 June 2011

Award-winning film-maker challenges “Wellywood’s” finest

Social entrepreneur and award-winning film maker, Guy Ryan is on a crusade to inspire future-focused action through film and is challenging the Wellington film industry to do the same.

“Wellington has some of the most talented film-makers in the world. You don’t have to look far to see evidence of its success with Wellingtonians regularly appearing at film festivals and award ceremonies around the world,” says Guy Ryan of the Inspiring Stories Trust.

The Inspiring Stories team will hold a workshop for youth in Wellington on July 8th and 9th, which will partner young people with industry mentors and young people making a difference in their community. Guy Ryan is challenging members of New Zealand's film community to invest in the next generation of filmmakers by offering their time as a mentor.

“Film is a powerful medium for conveying ideas and inspiring change and we’ve had hundreds of young filmmakers come to the Inspiring Stories workshops wanting to make a difference in their communities,” says Guy.

“We want to tap into New Zealand’s vast film and television talent pool to ensure our youth get the best mentors our country has to offer so we can equip and empower them to make films that will make a difference and captivate audiences around the world”. Along with connecting with a local industry mentor, participants will learn new skills and begin a two-to-four minute short film project about a young person making a difference in the local community. “Social media and resources like Youtube have made it possible for film-makers to publish and spread engaging stories amongst their peers, as well as a global audience. Our goal is to help film-focused young people produce high quality productions that will make an impact on youth here and abroad.” The Dunedin-based film enthusiast has already been recognised as a future talent of the film industry himself, notching up first prize in the Colorado Film Festival short film category, runner-up in the BBC's Best Newcomer Award category at Wildscreen film festival and runner-up in the Best NZ Film category at the Reel Earth film festival.

Guy’s social entrepreneurship has also been identified by the Vodafone Foundation New Zealand, who offered him a place on the 2011 World of Difference programme. The Foundation is supporting Guy for the year while he tours around New Zealand working with young filmmakers.

The second major part of the project is a film festival to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the young filmmakers from around New Zealand. The event, named “Festival for the Future”, is to be held in Wellington at the NZ Film Archive in Wellington in November 2011. Wellington youth and industry professionals can register and volunteer respectively for the Inspiring Stories Trust workshop through the website: http://www.inspiringstories.org.nz/about/workshops/

-Ends- About Inspiring Stories Trust: Our mission is simple – to harness the power of storytelling to showcase good people, doing great things for their communities. We do this by providing hands-on professional development workshops and events.

Inspiring Stories Trust is a registered charity based in Dunedin with a nationwide focus!

About Festival for the Future: Celebrating grassroots community action, creative media innovation, and young Kiwi's making a difference – Festival for the Future is a world first happening right here in New Zealand.

Imagine entertainment, compelling presentations by young changemakers from across New Zealand, film screenings, hands-on workshops on storytelling, slam poetry, social enterprise, filmmaking and more. The Festival set to attract New Zealand's finest, and we want you to get involved!

The Festival takes place in Wellington at the NZ Film Archive over the weekend of November 4/5/6. Tickets will be available from September 2011.

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