INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM
2003-04
Presentation & Promotion
6th Edition
Auburn International Film and Video Festival
for Children and Young Adults
September 22-26, 2003
Int. Film Festival
for Children and Young PeopleArgentine
(Oct-Nov 2003) Seuol International Youth Film FestivalSouth Korea
(Dec 2003) Roshd International Childen's Film Festival Iran
(Dec 2003) Taiwan International Film Festival for ChildrenTaiwan
(Jan 2004)
Presentation at the 1st Taiwan International
Children's TV and Film Festival
(January 9-13, 2004)
By Vahid Vahed
(Global Community Cultural Development
and Screen Culture activities utilizing Information Technology)
COMMUNITY CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Australia is a mini world that has citizens, which formed communities
from diverse cultural backgrounds and is also a fertile testing ground
to implement Community Cultural Development initiatives and strategies.
Nearly 15 years ago, Australia Council for the Arts initiated a 10
years policy entitled 'Multicultural Arts for Multicultural Australia'
in order to establish links between culturally diverse communities.
This policy was a way to confirm and preserve the heritage of each
culture re-presented in Australia as oppose to White Australia policy
practiced since the colonization by Anglo Europeans nearly 200 years
ago.
Community Cultural Development is
a process to recognize the diversity and complexity of ideas and cultures
as an integral part of establishing links between communities and
individuals locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The
outcome of Community Cultural Development practices is often hybrid
and embedded in the process as an expression and/or exchange of ideas
through various artistic and cultural forms, which ultimately creates
a universal language.
The communication gap between countries,
states, cities, communities and individuals is disappearing since
Information Technology is shaping the world to be a closer community
devoid of borders. This 21 century technological revelation allows
diverse ideas and cultures to transcend their originalities to the
rest of the globe by only pressing a button on a laptop, mobile phone
or a finger touch computer screen refrigerator's door.
Since New Technology has abolished
the concept of space and time in communication process, the Community
Cultural Development initiatives and strategies have been implemented
globally to establish greater understanding of the world's unique
social, cultural, political and economical position. The main facet
of New Technology is its cost effectiveness for many economically
disadvantaged communities and individuals that have no adequate budget
to access information and exchange ideas.
SCREEN CULTURE AND AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Since the invention of moving images over 100 years ago, Screen Culture
Development strategies have been struggling to reach wider communities
globally due to political and economical as well as technological
limitations. Screen Culture Development has been implementing strategies
to develop diverse audiences to appreciate moving images not only
from the Hollywood apparatus but also from the community's social,
cultural, artistic and political perspectives through non-Hollywood
productions.
Traditionally, Screen Culture activities
always utilized film festivals as platform to introduce new ideas
from around the world to their respective audience but now with the
presence of Television, Satellite and digital Technology, audience
is allowed to experience and appreciate moving images from various
artistic and technological forms. New Technology and multimedia applications
provide an alternative root to create moving images not only by professionals
but also by communities and individuals that are interested in this
field. Therefore, the moving images industry is shifting from being
exclusive to inclusive.
Since Information Technology has become
a way of communication in the new millennium, it is also bringing
about major changes in the way of seeing the world and ultimately
creating new ways of being. These changes can occur during a long-term
process beginning with children in school and at home that have access
to information and multimedia applications that will empower youngsters
to create their own unformulated and unrestricted expressions and
representations. As a result of this overwhelming freedom through
cyber space, many taboo expressions and discourses are equally represented
along with already established ideas. Taboos such as amateur and/or
unprofessional image-makers are no longer applicable since the quality
of images is often enhanced and manipulated through various Digital
FX processes by the 21st century image-makers.
Media literacy practices such as forums
and workshops are gateways to develop an understanding to differentiate
between the saturation of moving images that are already loaded with
preconceived definitions and the images that are demanding the audience
to contribute by completing the meaning from their own social, cultural,
economical and political periphery.
KIDS IN THE PICTURE
Children and young people are among the groups that are not represented
in decision-making process and often dependent on the adults' projection
to find their identities. In the past decade, children and youth have
been utilizing New Technology towards their own advantage and realizing
that the real link with the world without being excluded is the Information
Highways offered to explore by this revolutionary technology.
Since many organizations are set up
to assist children and youth in making representation before the New
Technology era such as CIFEJ are finding it very easy to widen their
focus and transcend the aims and objectives of the organization via
electronic communication tools. On the other hand, many organizations
are formed that focus solely on utilizing New Technology to produce,
present, promote and distribute works that are about/for or merely
made by children and youth globally. New Technology is providing the
knowledge and opportunity for many youngsters to manage and represent
their own affairs rather than relying on adults and/or professionals
to guide them with the adequate information.
ICYMAN (International Children and
Youth Multimedia Access Network) is one of the organizations that
is administrated and coordinated by young people under 22 years of
age utilizing New Technology to promote and present its aims and objectives
to wider constituents globally.
ICYMAN is a community cultural development
and screen culture initiative in the Western Sydney region supported
by the Australia Council for the Arts, Norwegian Film Institute, SAF
(School of Animated Films, Croatia) and CIFEJ (International Centre
of Films for Children and Young People, Canada) was launched at the
2nd International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults in Buenos
Aries during November 2003.
In February 2004, ICYMAN will be launching
a virtual database to commence networking between children, youth
and relevant organizations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
ICYMAN focuses on Information Technology and multimedia activities
to connect children, youth and relevant organizations globally, and
also be utilized as a virtual platform for cultural, artistic and
personal development and expressions.
This is an opportunity to present
young people from culturally diverse backgrounds in the Western Sydney
region as one of the forefronts in networking and implementing new
ways of expressions. The gathered information will be available on
the project's website for community access, as well as being compiled
in a comprehensive booklet by 2005. Also, the multimedia works produced
by children and youth in the year 2004-5 will be presented and promoted
not only during the 7th and 8th Editions Auburn International Film
and Video Festival for Children and Young Adults but in many other
national and international film, video and multimedia festivals.
By the year 2005, ICYMAN will become a key organization for cultural
and artistic development of children and young people in Western Sydney
region with a global perspective, through initiating, devising and
presenting projects utilizing New Technology, and audience development
strategies. As well as establishing links with communities, children,
youth, multimedia centres, festivals, arts and cultural organizations
locally, nationally and internationally.
Aims and objectives:
1. To lobby and advocate on behalf
of children and youth in Western Sydney to gain access to Information
Technology, Multimedia, Film and Video and Electronic art as the 21st
Century forms of expression.
2. To initiate and establish an infrastructure
entitled ICYMAN 'International Children and Youth Multimedia Access
Network', that functions as a platform to address children and youth
issues globally, administrated by culturally diverse children and
youth of Western Sydney.
3. To initiate and develop CCD and
Screen Culture activities through exchange programs locally, regionally,
nationally and internationally to reach a greater understanding of
the intertexuality and complexities in the social, cultural and political
make up of each area, region or country.
Conceptual Workshop
Participants: Children 10-12 years old
Conceptual and practical workshop
with primary students to view and vote for best works made by children
and youth from Auburn International Film and Video Festival for Children
and Young Adults 'winners compilation 2003', as well as writing and
presenting own written stories during the workshop and voting for
the best script. The duration of the workshop will not exceed 2 hours
and 30 minutes.
Child Produced 4-14 years old
A Good Heart Ashden
Walker, Live Action 4'30" Australia 2003 (Winner 1st Place)
"An African girl struggles to fit in to her new school in northern
part of Queensland, Australia. In a race at school, a white boy who
does not like her pushes her off and prevents her from winning. As
the result of this incident the teacher will give warning to the boy
to not do it again and behave with proper manners and respect for
others."
ANTS Children
aged 8-13, Animation 2'29" Croatia 2003 (3rd Place)
"Elementary drawing animation of a Story about a Lazy Ant who
does not want to do his work like others."
CHOMP William
Allsop / Channel Free, Experimental 4' Australia 2002
"An experimental film about a young boy studying at home but
instead he begins to draw random lines, which are from Television.
But the illuminating television light distorts the image and can only
hear unrelated abstract sound."
Flying Pancakes Children
aged 7-12, Animation 2'06" Croatia 2003
"Elementary drawing animation about a pancake who decides to
make jokes with people and throws itself around in most inconvenient
ways obstructing people who are working in the market."
Bully Duster Trinity
Catholic Collage, Live Action 5' Australia 2003
"Miss Dust is a new teacher at school and zaps every student
with her cane who cannot solve a mathematical problem. Until a bright
student solves the problem and she gets zapped and disappears. Then
she finds herself in a Rose Garden where she is so happy smelling
the flowers and sniffing fresh air."
Sugar and Spice Katerina
Lonergan / Channel Free, Experimental 4' Australia 2003
"Life as an adolescent is not all sugar and spice…a freeze
frame in the inertia of life at school. An experimental film showing
four girls in the school yard, walking in the bush and studying hard
for exam."
Winston Gene
Alberts / Channel Free, Experimental 4' Australia 2003 (2nd Place)
"To conform to the average life of a male, is to conform to the
average thinking in the mind."
6th Edition
Auburn International Film and Video Festival
for Children and Young Adults
September 22-26, 2003
Int. Film Festival
for Children and Young PeopleArgentine
(Oct-Nov 2003) Seuol International Youth Film FestivalSouth Korea
(Dec 2003) Roshd International Childen's Film Festival Iran
(Dec 2003) Taiwan International Film Festival for ChildrenTaiwan
(Jan 2004)
Child Produced
4-14 years old
A Good HeartAshden
Walker, Live Action 4’30” Australia 2003(Winner)
“An African girl struggles to fit in to her new
school in northern part of Queensland, Australia. In a race at school,
a white boy who does not like her pushes her off and prevents her
from winning. As the result of this incident the teacher will give
warning to the boy to not do it again and behave with proper manners
and respect for others.”
ANTSChildren
aged 8-13, Animation 2’29” Croatia 2003(3rd
Place)
“Elementary drawing animation of a Story about
a Lazy Ant who does not want to do his work like others.”
CHOMPWilliam
Allsop / Channel Free, Experimental 4’ Australia 2002
“An experimental film about a young boy studying
at home but instead he begins to draw random lines, which are from
Television. But the illuminating television light distorts the image
and can only hear unrelated abstract sound.”
Flying PancakesChildren
aged 7-12, Animation 2’06” Croatia 2003
“Elementary drawing animation about a pancake
who decides to make jokes with people and throws itself around in
most inconvenient ways obstructing people who are working in the market.”
Bully DusterTrinity
Catholic Collage, Live Action 5’ Australia 2003
“Miss Dust is a new teacher at school and zaps
every student with her cane who cannot solve a mathematical problem.
Until a bright student solves the problem and she gets zapped and
disappears. Then she finds herself in a Rose Garden where she is so
happy smelling the flowers and sniffing fresh air.”
Suger and SpiceKaterina
Lonergan / Channel Free, Experimental 4’ Australia 2003
“Life as an adolescent is not all sugar and spice…a
freeze frame in the inertia of life at school. An experimental film
showing four girls in the school yard, walking in the bush and studying
hard for exam.”
WinstonGene
Alberts / Channel Free, Experimental 4’ Australia 2003 (2nd
Place)
“To conform to the average life of a male, is
to conform to the average thinking in the mind.”
Youth Produced
15-22 years old
The Last TreeMoritz
Mayerhofer, Animation 6’10”Germany 2003(Winner)
“In a dark future, humans are no longer vital
images. They are suppressed to their boring work. They forget about
the nature as they become deeper involved in their everyday mundane
lives. Until the Last Tree saves the world and humans.”
UnexpectedMs.
Avil Johnson, Live Action 10” UK 2002 (2nd Place)
“Unexpected is an emotional teenage drama about
a young girl, who is raised by an abusive father. After a one-night
stand she becomes pregnant. She then has to make a crucial decision.”
Moving onRicardo
Barker, Live Action 10’ UK 2002(3rd Place)
“A moving story about 2 young partners in crime
as well as best friends at school decide to steal the female teacher's
fancy motorbike. The younger friend is reluctant to do it but forced
by older that leads to losing his life in an accident to leave a huge
scar and guilt in his friends mind. ”
Adult Produced
for/about children
Trouble of Being a BoyJamil
Rostami, Live Action, 24’50” Iran 2002 (Winner)
“Sirvan is a boy from one of the Kurdistan villages.
His roosters will be replaced with one another in the village. His
mother forces him to find the rooster. Suddenly some travellers come
to the village. One is a circumciser, and all the boys are afraid
of him.”
Down RiverReneta
Schuman, Video Clip 2’47” Australia 2002(2nd
Place)
“When it's hot we go down river and swim
When we go fishin', we catchin' the bream
When the river's high, we jump off the bridge
When we get home we play the didge”
A Dog’s HideawayAviva
Barkhourdarian, Live Action 6’54” Germany 2001
(3rd Place)
“Janine has got a problem: she isn’t allowed
to have dog but there is nothing in the world she desires more then
having a dog. Polo is chained in a garage and his master tortures
him. Polo escapes towards Janine, the owner searches him, and Janie
meets Rudi the boy from the circus.”
Adult Produced
for/about youth
My Old China
Linden Goh, Live Action 11’ Australia 2001(Winner)
“A film about growing up Chinese in the white
Suburbs of 1970’s Australia. 2 Chinese background boys being
hassled by white boys at school, as they try really hard to assimilate
and having trouble turning their parents into Aussies when they get
home.”
A Case of Doubt
Torsten Schrank, Animation 3’20” Germany 2002(2nd Place)
“On a beautiful Autumn day the turtle Edward to
write his important love letter, But with a sudden case of doubt ,
Edward thinks over his feelings.”
The Kennel Bujar
Alimani, Live Action 13’30” Greece 2002(2nd
Place)
“Hito leaves his family in Albania and crosses
over illegally into Greece, together with his friend and several others.
At the border, the group become separated. His dog is also following
him in the distance and becomes his saviour when they get to the other
side.”
Cry for BoboDavid
Cairns, Live Action 9’34” UK 2001(3rd Pace)
“Frantic knockabout tragedy ensues when Bobo is
sent to clown prison for committing a daring but silly crime. Can
he escape in time to prevent his family from bringing shame on all
clowndom?”
Little Noel Wants to FlyNassiem
Valamanesh, Live Action 7’50” Australia 2002(3rd Place)
“Electricity, Helmet, Sunshine, Mum, Dad, Brother,
Bike, Knives, Stamps, Ducks, Sleep, Test, Acceptance. A young boy
from the suburbs of Melbourne who wants to join the Air force to blow
up things.”
Open Forum
at 12th Golden Elephant International Children's
Film Festival in Hyderabad, India. Chief guest
Shri T. Devender Gou Minister for Home & Cinematography Panel members
Comprises Ms. Sai Paranjpye - Chairperson CFSI, Mr. P. K. Nair, Festival
Director 12th ICCF 2001, Mr. Vahid Vahed - Festival Director, ICFF,
Sydney, Australia, Mr. G. Phani Kumar - Managing Director, APS.Tv.T.D.C.
M. Veda Kumar Chairman, CFSAP.
CINEWEST multimedia and Auburn
International Film and Video Festival for Children and Young Adults
invited to Argentine and India. November 2-20, 2001 CINEWEST multimedia’s
Artistic Director / Auburn Community Development Network’s Multicultural
Community Arts Worker Vahid Vahed has been invited to attend the first
Mar del Plata International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults
in Argentine and the 12th Heydayabad Golden Elephant International
Children’s Film Festival in India to present and promote CCD multimedia
practices in the Western Sydney area, Art Experimenta (30 minutes
weekly arts program on channel 31), the role of Community Television
Sydney C31 from a representational and educational perspective and
showcasing the best and winners of Auburn International Film and Video
Festival for Children and Young during November 2-21, 2001. As well
as a seminar at Mar del Plata University (The Man With A Satellite
Dish - Nomadic Community Television Broadcasting) and conducting conceptual
and practical workshops with students both in Argrntine and India.
SELECTED
WORKS AND ACTIVITIES;
WINNERS AND
BEST OF AUBURN INTERNATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUNG ADULTS 99-01
(FILMS AND
VIDEOS MADE BY ADULTS ABOUT OR FOR CHILDREN)
SEE ME Aaron Crothers 6', Fiction,
Australia, 2001
FAUNTOWN Igor Morozov 4', Fiction,
Russia, 2001
THE DAY I DECIDED TO BE NINA (WINNER
01) Ingeborg Jansen 15', Documentary, The Netherlands, 2000
IT'S MY LIFE Natalia Berezovaya
3'20", Animation, Russia, 2000
MADAME DRON (WINNER 00) Regis
Roinsard 15’, Fiction, France, 2000
HANDLE WITH CARE (WINNER 99)
Susanne Buddenberg, Lorenz Trees 3’, Fiction, Germany, 1999
THE TENOR Thor Freudenthal
3’, Animation, Germany, 1999
MINI OLYMPICS (WINNER 00) Maraylya
Public School 5’, Fiction, Australia, 2000
PENGUIN IN THE FRIDGE Hungerford
School students 2’ Animation, England, 2001
GAME WORLD Sacred Heart School
Students 2’ Animation, England, 2001
THE MAGIC FOOTBALL DOLL Elsley
Special School 2’, Animation, England, 2001
YUMMY CARROTS FOR THE RABBIT
Robinsfield Infant school students 2’ Animation, England, 2001
THE WACKIEST TOUR OF LONDON Hampden
Gurney School students 2’ Animation, England 2001
SPIDER AND FLY Jason, a Pimlico
school student 2’ Animation, England, 2001
THE LAST WORLD Cian Gill 5’,
Animation, Republic of Ireland, 1999
ADAMS FAMILY- FOUND NOT GUILTY
(WINNER 01) Kasey Whiley, Kellee Condon, Vanessa Brown, Luke Galea,
Mitchell Springer, Mitchell Rynan 5', Fiction, Australia, 2001
(FILMS AND
VIDEOS MADE BY YOUNG ADULTS 15-22 YEARS OLD)
STATISTICS HAVE FACES Channel
Free Media Youth Access - Christian Wilson, Jasmin Moret, Tracy Hill,
Kylie Hill, Sam Hodge 34”, Community Announcement, Australia, 1999
NEVER GONG BACK John Nelson
3’, Video clip, Australia, 1999
THE CHALLENGE Briged KD Collain
2'50”, Fiction, Australia, 2001
WAIT Advanced Class Bardic
Drama School 3', Fiction, Australia, 2001
SCHOOL OF
ANIMATED FILMS - CAKOVEC CROATIA SAF RETROSPECTIVE 1975-2001
SAF was established in 1975 by Edo
Lukeman in Cakovec to empower children and youth to express themselves
in an animated art form and learn the skills of making animated film
at the same time. SAF celebrated its 25th anniversary in the year
2000 and 3 young students from Auburn were invited to attend SAF's
10th International Children's Animation Workshop and the 14th Zagreb
World Festival of Animated Films for 2 weeks. The works selected for
this segment are the works produced in SAF by children since 1975.
C31 COMMUNITY
TELEVISION SYDNEY ART EXPERIMENTA
2 X 30’ episodes of Art Experimenta
about community arts, artists and activities in the Western Sydney
Region inter-cut with a selection of short films and videos.
CINEWEST
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS
MESSENGERS FROM THE WEST Mayza
Hamdan, Joaane Saad, Marian Abboud 9’, Video art, Australia, 1999
3 Video art pieces made by 3 young
Arab Australian women who grew up and reside in the Western Sydney
region about deconstructing the stereotypes surrounding the Arab women
who are living in Australia. Festivals and Exhibitions:
C31 Community Television Sydney, ARTSPACE, First Draft Gallery, Sydney
Arab Film Festival, Changing Images Short Film Festival (Australia
99-2001)
MILKY WAY Mahmoud Yekta 4’,
Experimental, Australia, 1997
A short film commissioned by SBS Television
for a children program 'Babylon'. Festivals
and Exhibitions: Auburn International
Film and Video Festival for Children and Young Adults (Australia98)
and Golden Orange International Short Film Festival (Turkey 98)
AQUARIUM Vahid Vahed 13’, Fiction,
Australia, 2001
A short film about dislocated people
who must drink, dream and cross-identify to stay alive. Festivals
and Exhibitions: Artecolica-Venice
International Short Film Festival, Festival de Cinema de Girona (Italy
2001), Manchester International Short Film Festival (England 2001),
Golden Orange International Short Film Festival (Turkey 2001)
TWO PART INVENTION Vahid Vahed
50", Experimental, Australia, 1998
An experimental installation in loop.
Festivals and Exhibitions:
Ivan Daugherty Gallery National Travelling Exhibition (Ways
of Being 98)
CHILDREN OF PRISONERS Vahid
Vahed 11’, Educational, Australia, 1999
Children of Prisoners was funded by
Western Sydney Assistance Scheme to be utilized in schools nationally
for better awareness about the children whose parents are in jail.
Children of Prisoners Group have been lobbying for better condition
for the carers and parents who are far away from their children for
the past 20 years, and the video is a visual result of their campaign.
All stories have been dramatised have been the outcome of a series
of workshops with children of prisoners in a period of six months.
Festivals and Exhibitions: Australian Centre for Photgraphy
99 - Channel 31 2000 - Cable TV USA 2000
HIP HOPERA Vahid Vahed 14’,
Documentary, Australia, 1996
Hip Hopera is a community cultural
development project which involved over 60 young people and children
to express themselves through hip hop, graffiti, video, break dancing
and lyrics writing. The project also visited the juvenile centre in
Western Sydney to workshop with the inmates. Festivals
and Exhibitions: Changing Images Short Film Festival 96 - Channel
31
SEMINARS
ON NEW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND TELEVISION
THE MAN WITH THE SATELLITE DISH
– NOMADIC COMMUNITY TELEVISION BROADCASTING Vahid Vahed 40’, MAR DEL
PLATA UNIVERSITY, November 3, 2001
A debate and information session about
‘aRt eXperimenta’ a 30 minutes community arts and cultural program
for Channel 31 (Community Television Sydney), as well as how to initiate
and create a Nomadic Community Television that broadcasts on internet
and narrowcasts in sight specifics across the globe.
CONCEPTUAL
AND PRACTICAL WORKSHOP
CINEWEST MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTIONS
& COMMUNITY CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE WESTERN SYDNEY
REGION Vahid Vahed 180’, November 7, 2001
A session to workshop conceptually
and practically with primary and high school students to view works
made by children and youth as well as discussion about independent
filmmaking and community television. Media Literacy through moving
image can be incorporated in the process by emphasizing on particular
discourse which the image representing.
Sponsors:
Australia Council for the Arts (CCD), Auburn Community
Development Network, CINEWEST multimedia, Indian Children Film Society
and Department of Education of Buenos Aries Province.
