CINEMATIC shorts made and starring a group of older Scots are to premiere tomorrow as part of a Scotland-wide festival.
The Fire Starter Festival celebrates “creative, disruptive and innovative ways in which we can all transform ourselves, our organisations and the wider system”.
Tomorrow eight filmmakers with an average age of 83 will show their work in public for the first time.
The friends have created six shorts as part of the Stay Mobile, Stay Connected initiative run by Paisley-based social enterprise Roar – Connections for Life, which works with older citizens in Renfrewshire.
The material, which focuses on health and wellbeing, is described as a “radical mix” of practical advice and “political points” about how public money is spent and older Scots are served.
Jim Anderson, 79, says the project has allowed him to express his “point of view”, adding: “When you get to our age you’re sort of pushed on the back burner, and there isnae any heat on.”
“Everything has been surprising.”
The first-time filmmakers include members from the ages of 79 to 92, all of whom had to learn new digital skills.
Betty Garrity, 80, said: “I never thought I would be behind a camera.”
Friend Elizabeth McLean, 92, said she had been “slightly nervous” at the beginning of the project due to the extent of the creative and technical challenge. Describing the process, she added: “It’s the first time I’ve made a film and I’m completely fascinated by learning how to work the different equipment and operating the video camera and the microphones.”
Fellow group member Norrie Mathieson, 79, added: “I believe I’m the youngest in this group and it’s been absolutely fabulous to work with these old Buddies.
“I didn’t think a bunch of old Buddies could have attempted it and succeeded.”
Lucinda Broadbent of Media Co-op worked with the team to give them the technical abilities needed to record the sound and visuals.
She said: “It is never, ever, too late to learn.
“I was massively impressed with the way the group took on new skills and adopted the video camera as a way to get their message heard.”
The Fire Starter Festival runs for two weeks in various locations. It is backed by Nicola Sturgeon, who said: “It’s the Government’s job to create change, but the best ideas come from people on the ground.”
The Stay Mobile, Stay Connected team will show their work in an evening event at Paisley’s Abercorn Business Centre.
The project is the brainchild of Roar’s Nicola Hanssen, who said the result could be a springboard for creating change in the way health and other professionals deal with the safety and wellbeing of older people.
She said: “The campaign springs from Roar’s seven years of direct work with more than 3000 older adults on falls prevention and combating social isolation has become our strategic mission.
“It’s time for a change.
“We’re launching the new films and inviting practitioners and stakeholders to collaborate with older adults on how we can shift the emphasis to prevention and community safety, and start listening to older people.”
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