Young people’s views on what the Isle of Man has to offer under 16s are to be aired in a film commissioned and sponsored by the Isle of Man Champions, the body charged with implementing the Chief Minister’s Freedom to Flourish strategy.
Now nearing completion, the film, titled Life in the Isle of Man - Do We Have Freedom to Flourish?, is being made by 16-year-old Rory Dorling in collaboration with Ben Harris, also 16. Both are former Young Filmmakers of Mann.
Ballakermeen High School student Rory said, "I’m now on to the last couple of shots for the film, which is likely to run for between five and seven minutes.
"In the film we’ve interviewed about 20 teenagers aged from around 13 to 15, asking them their opinions about what there is to do here for young people.
"We looked at this age group because at 16 or over you can go and get a job but for a lot of under-16s it’s not so easy for them to find things to do."
Rory said the film would be "honest and hard-hitting" but would offer a balanced view, with comments included from representatives of a number of organisations, including the NSC and Isle of Man careers office.
"A lot of the young people interviewed said there wasn’t enough to do in the Isle of Man, but there were those who simply didn’t know much about what was available here in the first place.
"One of the problems the film highlighted was that young people don’t often get off the Island, because of the cost of travel, so they’re wanting more things to do here.
"Two years ago, if anyone had interviewed me, I’d have said the Isle of Man does offer support for people like me who want to make films. The Island’s good for creativeness and as a filmmaker, I know I’d rather live here than in the UK."
Earlier this year, the Isle of Man Champions – a 34-strong assembly of leading businesses, charities and professional organisations - formed a steering group to oversee and develop the Freedom to Flourish strategy.
Its chairman, G4S managing director Stuart McCudden said: ‘Commissioning and sponsoring this film is one of the many components in the Champions’ task to identify and implement initiatives in three key areas: awareness, opportunities and skills.
"Importantly, Rory’s comment - 'the Island’s good for creativeness' - demonstrates that Freedom to Flourish is no mere slogan; rather it brings to life the understanding that the Isle of Man is a land of possibility where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential."
Freedom to Flourish brand consultant Alistair Audsley said, "I look forward to seeing Rory and Ben’s completed film.
"It promises to be a piece of work that, whatever the sentiments expressed, will undoubtedly resonate with one of the three core strands of the Freedom to Flourish strategy in that it seeks to make everyone feel a part of our society and that they’re contributing to shaping the Island’s future."
'Life in the Isle of Man – Do We Have Freedom to Flourish?' is to be presented later this year to the Chief Minister.
Pictured: Budding filmmaker Rory Dorling, 16.
