This is expression of our rights, when we talk of rights of children, children would need a platform to express their views and for us these films are our views,” said one of the participants who had made a film and was speaking about his experience.
Rishika, another participant in the project, said that initially she thought films are of longer duration only but didn’t know we could speak in form of small film or documentary. She learned the skills and made a film on child labour with Harshita, Youth participant.
These adolescents are part of 18:18, a film project in which 18 children along with 18 young participants made 18 short movies. These children were from three districts namely Bhopal, Jhabua and Itarsi. These movies aimed to bring out children’s perspective on various social issue through their lenses. This film project was undertaken by the collaboration of Social organisations such as ANSH Happiness Society, Vasudha, Vikas Samvad, Bharat Calling in partnership with UNICEF Madhya Pradhesh.
These 18 movies were screened on 21st November 2018 at an event in Bhopal's Gandhi Bhawan to mark World Children’s Day. These movies were based on issues like girl child education, child labor, Gender, access of children to executive offices, cleanliness and many more.
Michael Juma, Chief UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh while speaking at the screening, said that provision of inclusive and quality education to every child in sync with SDGs and is critical for unlocking their creativity and potentials as demonstrated by their videos, which largely should be supported by policy decision makers in every essence.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh, shared the brief about the project and how platforms like these for adolescents give them an opportunity to express themselves, which is their right.
Mohsin Khan, Co- founder ANSH Happiness Society said that in our discussion with UNICEF and followed by our partners Vikas Samvad, Vasudha Sanasthan, Bharat Calling we wanted to celebrate the World Children’s Day where youth engages with children so that they we give platform 'for children, by children', 18: 18 was conceived then, which gave them that opportunity.
Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh, said that it is great to see expressions of adolescents in these films.