Pupils' film scoops award
March 11, 2010
‘I so want that dress!’, an animated DVD created by 29 young people from Merthyr Tydfil won the ’Best Animation’ category at the International Young People’s Film Festival in Pontypridd recently.
The film was made and directed by the young people themselves, as part of the Glamorgan GATES project and under the guidance of Turnip Starfish, and encourages people to think about financial issues such as; the dangers of loan sharks, the benefits of debit verses credit cards, saving for what you want, responsible borrowing and the benefits of using a credit union.
The DVD was launched at the University of Glamorgan’s Cardiff campus in March.
Dr Lesley Hodgson from the Glamorgan GATES Project said, “I’m so proud of all the young people involved. They worked hard, learnt a lot about financial inclusion, animation and citizenship but had a fun time making the DVD and are amazed at the results. This project proves the benefits of good partnership working”.
The DVD will be used by all Communities First partnerships within the Merthyr Tydfil borough for information and training purposes.
Credit Union engagement officer Andrew said, “Financial issues and skills are not the most glamorous of subjects and yet they are key life skills that everyone should know. Allowing the students to take ownership of the ideas and letting them explain them in their own way definitely led to some interesting and amusing stories, but hopefully it also helped the important facts sink in! At the Credit Union we are very proud of the film. It will help to make the subject matter more glamorous and easier to understand for children and grownups alike throughout the borough and beyond.”
The film was the culmination of a 3 month project between Glamorgan GATES, Merthyr Tydfil Credit Union, Bishop Hedley and Cyfarthfa High Schools, 3 Gs Development Trust, Communities First Town and Park and animation company Turnip Starfish.
The International Young People’s Film Festival is sponsored by ZOOM.
Glamorgan GATES is part of the University of Glamorgan’s Centre for Lifelong Learning.
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