Young filmmakers visit Findhorn Foundation

31 March 2010

Exciting artistic talent was showcased in the Findhorn Foundation’s Universal Hall recently with the screening of documentary films created by young learners from local primary schools.

Entitled Discover Moray, the individual documentaries gave youngsters from eight schools an opportunity to demonstrate their interview techniques and filmmaking skills with the help of Graeme Roger, a freelance filmmaker employed by Moray Council.

“It was a celebration of the spirit of youth that filled the Universal Hall to capacity,” Yvonne Cuneo, a member of the Foundation’s Building Bridges team, said. “We were delighted to have been approached by the Cultural Co-ordinator for Moray Schools to have the screenings and prize giving in the Universal Hall and regard events like this as an important opportunity to build relationships with the wider community in which we live.”

Each school chose topics for the documentaries ranging from the magnificent Elgin Cathedral to historic Brodie Castle, while three schools spotlighted venues within The Park at Findhorn, two choosing the Moray Art Centre and a third focusing on Findhorn Pottery.

The youngsters wrote scripts, conducted interviews, filmed, edited and animated their productions, demonstrating an understanding of sophisticated filmmaking techniques.

Their grasp of the film and television industry was also reflected in their confident questioning of guest speaker Sara Harkins, executive editor of BBC/CBeebies Scotland.

The Findhorn Foundation has provided experiential education to people from all over the world since 1974 and is now, through the Building Bridges initiative, seeking to share its skills with people of all ages and backgrounds from the local area.

Geoff Dalglish