act it out youth exchange in INPRO
Erasmus+, Youth Exchanges

Act It Out: Bringing Stories to Life on the Big Screen

  • by INPRO

The Act It Out project, held from January 19th to 27th, 2022, brought together 20 young people aged 18-25 and five group leaders from five European countries: Armenia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Hungary. The mission? To help participants grow personally while tackling a unique challenge – creating a full-blown film festival. And where better to hold it than at the Kino za Rogiem cinema, right in the heart of Rzeszów?

Organized by INPRO, in collaboration with partners from Hungary (KÖZ-Pont Ifjúsági Egyesület), Armenia (KASA Foundation), Slovakia (Youthfully Yours), and Ukraine (Uzhhorod National University), the project was designed to push creativity and teamwork to the forefront.

The Journey Begins

The first day was all about breaking the ice and exploring Rzeszów. Through a fun city quest, participants were divided into teams to discover the city’s most iconic spots. After getting a feel for their new surroundings, they dived into the heart of the project: filmmaking.

act it out youth exchange in INPRO, Rzeszow

The following days were dedicated to learning the basics of shooting a film, from the technical aspects to the creative process. Once they had the foundation, it was time to put those skills to the test. But first, they needed a theme. After a workshop on global and local issues and human rights, the groups brainstormed and decided on topics for their films, aiming to reflect real-world problems through their cinematic lenses.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Armed with newfound knowledge, the participants split into teams to begin their creative journey. They wrote scripts, acted, and edited, pouring their ideas and passion into each film. It was an intense but rewarding process.

Then came the big moment – movie night. The Kino za Rogiem cinema came alive as the participants showcased their films to the local Rzeszów community. It wasn’t just about watching movies; it was about engaging in meaningful conversations. After each screening, the audience and filmmakers participated in a lively debate about the issues portrayed and the stories told.

act it out youth exchange in kino za rogiem cafe

Wrapping It Up

On the final day, the group reflected on the unforgettable week they’d spent together. They talked about the friendships formed, the lessons learned, and the experience of making a difference through film. As a bonus, they joined INPRO’s regular event, Open Café, which gave them even more time to bond and share their thoughts.

Check out the highlights from our Act It Out film festival at Kino za Rogiem in this photo gallery.

Partners:

  1. Stowarzyszenie Projektów Międzynarodowych INPRO (Poland)
  2. Youthfully Yours (Slovakia)
  3. KOZ-PONT (Hungary)
  4. Narodowy Uniwersytet w Użhorodzie (Ukrainę)
  5. KASA Foundation (Armenia)

The project was co-financed under the Erasmus+ program.