Reel Youth Films at VIFF: protest, poetry and sneakers

The diverse voices of young people require as many mediums as possible. On October 13th and 14th, you have the opportunity to have a glimpse into the lives of today's young citizens. These films include gritty emotions, comedy, brand-new sneakers, love stories, poetic animation, potent songs of protest, nuclear war...and much more.

Culture changes so quickly. We occupy an era where many conversations happen through youtube clips and facebook posts. What entertains young minds is shifting through time. Subjects of nightmares also change in relation to the current events or residual trauma that cause them.

The VIFF screenings will showcase a selection from Reel Youth’s own filmmaking programs, Vancouver’s Out in Schools, Knowledgeable Aboriginal Youth Association (KAYA), the class of 2010 Powell River Digital Film School and Access to Media Education Society (AMES).

Youth filmmakers will be present to answer questions about their films and filmmaking experience. 

In addition to providing an outlet for youth voices, these projects allow youth to collaborate and cultivate a professional work ethic. The technical aspects required to make films help develop expanded attention spans.

A unique aspect of the RYFF screenings is that a jury of youth choose the films to be screened for the festival. The jury make their selections based on entertainment value, technical merit and the message the films portray.

The RYFF will premier at the Vancouver International Film Festival, and then continue across Canada, and around the world, with almost 30 screenings from September 2010 through August 2011.