The Fairfax Youth Initiative (FYI) is going digital for the first time in over twenty years – making it more accessible for young people to receive world-class mentorship in storytelling and performance from professional artists.
Expressions of Interest are now open, and Fairfax is calling for young people across the region to join them in the exciting next chapter of the program.
Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Bill Moar said Council was delighted to be part of the new digital Fairfax Youth Initiative and encouraged the community to get involved.
“I admire the way in which the FYI team has adapted the events, making them more accessible for young people and a much greater platform – it’s a really exciting time” Cr Moar said.
Longstanding Fairfax Artistic Director Bryce Ives said during December 2020 – January 2021, the Fairfax team will provide online mentorship in storytelling to 15 young people, aged 13-25 living in the Murray Mallee.
“The mentorship will include coaching and workshops with theatre practitioners, comedians and filmmakers.
“It will give participants the tools to craft and deliver truthful and engaging stories from their lived experience.
“At the end of the mentorship, participants will present in an exciting virtual storytelling event live-streamed from their homes to audiences across Australia in February 2021,” Mr Ives said.
Mr Ives said Fairfax will then select up to five storytellers to adapt their story for the small screen.
“They will be working with some of Australia’s finest filmmakers to shoot short films on location in the storytellers’ hometowns from March-May 2021,” he added.
Chelsea Zeller, co-artistic Director of Fairfax Youth Initiative said moving the FYI online provided many benefits to their program.
“We can now provide learning opportunities to young people that we haven’t had the resources to connect with previously.
We want to provide a platform for passionate and diverse young voices, and to share their stories with the world,” she said.
The Fairfax Youth Initiative is open for young people aged 13-25 years, living in the Murray or Mallee regions to apply.
