Tanith helps to launch new film project

One of the participants, Tanith MacLynn-Hill, 17, is from Derriaghy and is a pupil at Victoria College Belfast.

Belfast Lord Mayor, Nichola Mallon, welcomed the participants to Belfast City Hall as they prepared to begin a week that will teach them about filmmaking from script to screen while looking at social issues such as domestic abuse, social media and employment.

They had five days to create three original short films, shooting in Belfast City Hall, Parliament Buildings and the Northern Ireland Science Park, focusing on the benefits of young women in politics. The films will be screened at Belfast City Hall and the NI Assembly to mark International Women’s Day on Friday, 6 March.

The ‘Reel Politics’ project is a partnership between Belfast City Council, the Northern Ireland Assembly and Cinemagic International Film and Television for Young People aimed at young women aged 16-25 years old.

Sean Boyle, Cinemagic said “This is a wonderful opportunity for young women who are interested in developing filmmaking skills and who also feel passionately about politics. The project will offer a practical film experience as well as a platform for young people’s views to be heard.”

Councillor Mallon said: While some progress has been made in relation to gender equality, women remain a minority when it comes to politics in Northern Ireland so it is exciting to see an innovative project like this aimed at encouraging young women to consider what they could do to improve things.

“The aim of this project is to inspire a new generation of young women to step up and get involved in the political life of their community, something I have been encouraging too during my year as Lord Mayor.

“Film is a powerful media for influencing others and providing a voice that is easily understood.I know there was great competition to be accepted onto this project and I have no doubt we have some future female leaders taking part. I for one am looking forward to seeing the films they create.”