Up toME

In setting up the Up to Me project, we wanted above all to offer marginalized young people an opportunity to speak out and reclaim their image through the medium of film. The aim was to highlight ...

In setting up the Up to Me project, we wanted above all to offer marginalized young people an opportunity to speak out and reclaim their image through the medium of film. The aim was to highlight their backgrounds, thoughts and dreams, while boosting their self-confidence and ability to express themselves in public. Through the filmed self-portraits, we sought to change the public's view of these often-invisibilized young people, and provoke collective reflection on the issues of precariousness and social exclusion. At the same time, we wanted the teams from the two partner organizations to develop new skills in participatory practices, and to be able to disseminate this know-how in other educational and social contexts across Europe.

As part of the Up to Me project, we ran participatory filmed self-portrait workshops with young adults from the Foyer J.B. Fouque in Marseille. The young people were helped to write, produce and shoot personal sequences, highlighting their backgrounds, dreams and social analyses. The final cut brought these self-portraits together in a collective film, a powerful testimony to their experiences and aspirations. During their stay in Poland, the French team discovered the workings of the C.E.L. Foundation, which specializes in the social economy. This immersion enabled them to strengthen their skills in community project management, particularly with regard to precariousness and inclusion schemes. In addition, the Polish team attended filming sessions in Marseille, which enabled them to discover and experiment with film-related teaching methods adapted to young people in situations of social exclusion. These exchanges have enriched the practices of both teams. We also produced an educational booklet detailing the methodology of the filmed self-portraits.

The Up to Me project has resulted in a number of concrete achievements. The main deliverable is a collective film featuring self-portraits made by young adults from the Foyer J.B. Fouque in Marseille. The film highlights their backgrounds, social reflections and aspirations, highlighting rarely-heard stories. An educational booklet has also been designed to enable educators and professionals to reproduce the methodology of the filmed self-portraits, including practical exercises and accessible resources. A first public screening took place at Le Gyptis cinema to Marseille, followed by a debate to gather audience impressions. Further screenings are already scheduled, notably as part of the Pass Culture school program. The young participants gained in self-confidence and awareness of their creative abilities. The French team strengthened their skills in participative practices, while the Polish team discovered the pedagogy of filming with young people in situations of social exclusion. The project raised awareness among a wide range of audiences, while paving the way for new educational initiatives on a local and European scale.