What happens when you bring together young people from different countries and give them one task: to create their own film festival? In January 2022, we explored this idea in Rzeszów during the Act It Out project.
Over the course of a week, 20 participants and 5 group leaders from Armenia, Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Hungary came together. The starting point was not just filmmaking itself, but the entire process leading up to it. From the first ideas, through discussions and choosing themes, to the final image on the screen.
The first days were about getting to know each other and the city. Participants went out to explore Rzeszów, and shortly after, they moved into a completely different space, working on their own films.
Instead of ready-made topics, there were questions. During workshops focused on human rights and global and local challenges, the groups began to search for what they truly wanted to say. Only then did the ideas for their scripts emerge.
The following days were dedicated to creative work. Writing, filming, acting and editing. Each group worked in its own way, but everyone faced the same challenge of turning an idea into a visual story.
The final event took place at Kino za Rogiem in the centre of Rzeszów. During the film evening, participants presented their productions to the local audience. The screenings were followed by discussions that allowed for a deeper understanding of the topics and different perspectives.
The last day was a moment for reflection. Participants looked back at their experiences, conversations and the connections they had built throughout the week.
The project was made possible thanks to funding from the European Union.
