By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
Young filmmakers from Belgrave Rose Ennis and Upwey Jazz Toland have entered their films to the Lantern and Light International Children’s Film Festival – a supportive platform for young filmmakers.
The festival provides the youth filmmakers with a stage to showcase their talent, the festival plays a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of cinematic artists.
Ranges Academy of Performing Arts (RAPA) is a not-for-profit academy for the creative enrichment and development of young people from ages eight to 18.
Both Rose and Jazz are part of the RAPA where they’ve anchored and interviewed industry professionals and young filmmakers alongside dignitaries, politicians, and local members for many years.
16-year-old Rose joined the ranger’s academy when she was in Year 8, and ever since she’s been showcasing her creativity in the annual-festival.
“I got involved in RAPA, because ever since primary school, a lot of my friends have been part of it then eventually I joined the drama classes, which is really good and I’m still part of it,” Rose said.
“And then a couple years later, I joined the RAPA film class for a project, and I really enjoyed it, so I just stayed in it.”
Rose said she’s a creative person, when doing film and drama through school, it’s not really the same for her, because it’s all for school projects and school grades, whereas working on a show or film outside of school, there’s more to it – you get more opportunity to improve every day.
“You get to put on a show at the end of the year and work towards that, and it’s more professional and a lot of my good friends and family there to see it as well,” the 16-year-old said.
“This year, we have a film which my film teacher and I created and wrote together, it’ll be screening, too.”
The filmmaker students tend to write their own scripts, guided by their teacher, then the props and the camera are given out to students to create their film.
She’s considering a future in the film industry but plans to take her time before making a final decision, meanwhile, she aims to finish Year 12 and take a gap year to travel through Europe.
18-year-old Jazz Toland is also passionate about filmmaking and drama, she emphasised on the importance of both writing and acting, and how they complement each other – she’s also involved in the RAPA.
“It allows you to really explore ideas, emotions, and even elements of your life,” she said.
“I love that it’s not a very strict medium, with film, you can do so much, from documentary to surrealist, and there’s always a niche for every person.”
“Rangers Academy is something that I personally haven’t seen elsewhere, it is targeted specifically at young people, but it doesn’t necessarily treat them as kids here to just have fun, but rather it really helps hone their skills and gives them a space where they can express themselves.”
Jazz indicated that although she might not pursue film studies at university because of her varied interests, she is certain she will be involved in the industry.
“My plan is to study biology, but I’m also going to continue to make short films and enter them into festivals and act in films,” she said.
Both young filmmakers are thrilled about having their films featured at the film festival.
