ENGLISH

As soon as I learned about the workshops, I hoped to take part in them and try something new. I also wanted to learn how to take high-quality photos and operate advanced equipment for film-making. Now I know that I can grow, try new things, give my best, or at least try. I will miss other participants, the equipment, our meetings and interviews. It was a great adventure. We made these films to show other people that we can do it, all on our own. It is a fantastic feeling.

The participants of the workshops are creative and highly engaged, they have new ideas all the time, and this is usually the most difficult thing to achieve for the group we work with, that is people with intellectual disability. The very process of thinking, developing ideas is often the biggest issue for them, but the workshops proved it can be done – everyone is active and helpful, they support one another. The project was particularly beneficial for people with low self-esteem or anxiety disorders. It was the first step to overcome those problems, because even being in front of the camera is stressful.

There are times when we, educators, think that some technicalities or plot issues could be resolved in a different way, more in the canon, but we do our best not to interfere with the films that are being created. We often say that our workshops are not about film-making. What counts is sincerity and authenticity of the message, not cinematic artistry.

Images can tell more than words. The workshops base on our experience and teach how to express what cannot be turned into words. This experience helps us to understand that, despite being different, we can listen to each other, see, feel, talk, write. The workshops proved to me that if I show myself, I won’t suffer from it, but rather feel support.

The participants were enthusiastic about this project. They couldn’t wait for the next meeting. They were happy to see the instructors. Every part of the workshops was important to them, from learning how to use the equipment to actual filming.

I feel that film-making makes our participants really happy. They enjoy creative work. They are authentic and engaged. They cannot wait for the next meeting. The most satisfying thing for them is the freedom to decide about every aspect of their films. They feel they become real artists.

The workshops were top-notch, both their content and methodology. The focus was on awareness and empathy for people with disabilities. Multiple techniques and methods were used: from lecture to visual means, such as images and videos. This made the classes more accessible and facilitated comprehensive understanding of the material and development of sympathy for other people. I am grateful for those workshops, and so are my students. I hope there will be more of such socially-oriented initiatives for schools.

We highly recommend the workshops that took place at our school this year. The instructor, Łukasz Szewczyk, talked about life of people with disabilities or in mental crisis in a very animated and touching way. His authenticity and commitment moved our students and were highly appreciated by our teachers. We certainly hope for more!

We use cinematic forms, because they work well for pro-social activities, and they become a safe lockpick to open the door to self-development.