Leeds Council - MediaFish
Funded by Youth Opportunities Fund, MediaFish is a unique and groundbreaking cooperative of young people, facilitated by Leeds Young Film to run their own film screening and filmmaking organisation. They host free screenings for other young people and their families twice a month and have regular meetings and creative sessions, including international Film Festival visits, workshops and masterclasses.
The aim of the programme is to create a self-sustaining, young people ‘owned’ community organisation which meets the needs of young people across the city (especially BME participants, who are underachieving and those who need support to reengage with learning opportunities) by providing a safe place to go and offering stimulating and empowering activities.
The programme has provided career signposting and direction for many members, some of whom have gone on to achieve their bronze Arts Award in filmmaking, while others (who were not in education, employment or training) have applied to colleges to study film production or media studies.
The programme has also given the core members the opportunity to travel abroad (some for the first time) to experience other cultures and tradition and develop their social and communication skills.
MediaFish is one year old and now has over 100 members.