Produced by Youthworx Productions for Teach for Australia, this documentary short asks students, what makes a great teacher?

Wantok Stori – Culture In Harmony with Nature Film Project

Wantok Stori – Culture In Harmony with Nature is a film collaboration and exchange project between Victoria and the Solomon Islands that explores and celebrates the diversity of Pacific cultures.

This project involves community discussion, film making and training, celebration and education. See www.facebook.com/wantokstori

Community Discussion -

Culture In Harmony with Nature is the theme of the 11^th Festival of Pacific Arts to be hosted in Solomon Islands in 2012.

We are inviting Pacific Islanders from all around the world to share their ideas on this theme through an online space (facebook: www.facebook.com/wantokstori ) using photos, film, poetry, stories, drawings.

What does this theme mean to you?

What is Culture? What is Nature? How does Culture relate to Nature? How are they changing over time or in different places? What do they mean to Pacific Identity?

Contributions to this space will be used as inspiration in the film making process. We will acknowledge everyone who contributes in the credits of the film.

Film making and Training –

In April Victorian film makers Amie Batalibasi (Solomons/Australia) and Lisa Hilli (PNG/Australia) will come together with Solomon Islander film makers (nominated by One News) and young people to create a short film.

They will also keep you updated on our journey to the Solomons through the online space.

Celebration –

This film will be presented back to communities at the 11^th Festival of Pacific Arts, Honiara in July and in the Emerge Festival, Melbourne in July 2011.

Education -

After the film been presented it will be uploaded with some teaching materials. Then communities and schools across the Pacific and Australia can use this to discuss, learn about and celebrate culture and diversity.

Wantok Stori is led by independent producers and film makers Amie Batalibasi

(SI/AUS), Lisa Hilli (PNG/AUS), Adriel Tahisi (SI), with support from Festival of

Pacific Arts Organising Committee, One News, Solomon Islands Victorian

Association, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Youthworx Media and coordination by

Samantha Cooper (AUS)

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Film Screening Fundraiser Event for Wantok Stori

We invite you to join us for a very special evening of film, storytelling and fun in Footscray.

The “Wantok Stori” project (supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria) will be holding a fundraiser event that will include:
• Screening of “Pacific Stories” – 8 short films written & directed by Australian Pacific Islanders (http://pacificstories.wordpress.com/)
• Dance performances by members of the Solomon Islands Victorian Association
• Guest speakers and storytelling sessions
• Raffles with great ‘island style’ prizes
• Complementary refreshments
• and more!

HERE ARE THE DETAILS…

WHEN: Friday 30 March 2012
TIME: 7-9PM
WHERE: Bluestone Church Arts Venue, 10a Hyde St, Footscray VIC
PARKING: Free parking available on site
COST: $20 per person

This is a night to put in your calendar now! Please keep in mind that places are limited – up to 100 capacity so get in quick with your RSVPs via the booking form: (Wantok Stori Fundraiser Booking Form)

Inquiries to:
EMAIL - amiebatalibasi@gmail.com OR lisa.hilli79@gmail.com

Presented by Youthworx Productions and Multicultural Arts Victoria, Urban Voices was an exciting new youth project that has seen the merging of a new generation of music and film talent in Melbourne. Over the past 6 months three emerging African musicians have combined forces with three emerging film makers to create three unique and original music videos.

Supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria, City of Melbourne, Youthworx Productions, Youth Development Australia and funded by the Australian Government.

Premiered at our recent official launch and containing excerpts of some of our recent work – here is the Youthworx Productions Reel from 2011.

Youthworx Productions are hosting a special launch event at 7-9pm on Thursday 9th of June in Brunswick, Melbourne. The evening will feature sneak previews of recent projects, behind the scenes information from directors and production  assistants, a range of guest presenters and catering from local establishment, Camille’s Fine Foods.

Presenters include Jon Staley (Youthworx Founder and Executive Producer), Meme McDonald (Project Mentor, Award-winning Writer and Director), Artan Jama (Producer and ABC journalist), Tahlia Azaria (Project Mentor and Director of  Azaria Productions), Janet Jukes (CEO Youth Development Australia), independent filmmakers Lisa Hilli and Penne Thorton, Dr. Aneta Podkalicka (Swinburne researcher) and Youthworx trainees.

The launch event is open to industry professionals from relevant sectors, community representatives, media, academics and other interested parties. RSVP is essential by email to info@youthworx.org.au

Created with homeless children during filmmaking workshops run at Youthworx Media, Flowers in Our Garden was produced for Merri Outreach Support Service and the Office of the Child Safety Commissioner and was launched at ‘Through a Child’s Eyes’ a one-day training and professional development forum for people who work with children who are experiencing homelessness and their families

Warrima –  is about dance – warrima – and how ancient ways still move the feet of young indigenous men across Australia.

From the train lines and graffiti walls of urban Melbourne, Koori Youth Will Shake Spears travel to the rainforest of Far North Queensland to dance alongside their ‘cousins’ Mayi Wunba.

Warrima is about culture and it’s about survival.  It’s about young people staying strong.  It’s about contemporary ‘songlines’ and it’s about knowing who you are.

Warrima has been developed as a companion to the newly released book Shake A Leg by acclaimed author Boori Pryor and illustrator Jan Ormerod and is directed by writer/director Meme McDonald.

Warrima will get you dancing.

WARRIMA IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE!

To order your copy of the Warrima DVD, which contains the 12 minute film, live versions of the featured dances in ‘Shake a Leg‘ and a look at the Behind the Scenes action created by Youthworx trainees and staff CLICK HERE

CHECK OUT SOME IMAGES FROM THE WARRIMA SHOOT BELOW

Produced for Araluen, an organisation providing day services to adults with an intellectual disability.

yuyukatha is a musical and story-telling performance that takes you on a cultural journey, In the great Aboriginal tradition,
Kutcha Edwards tells his incredible life’s journey through a series of songs & stories – some funny, others heart rending.