Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BDAC) has joined forces with Melbourne-based NBS Productions and media organisation Change the World to produce a mini feature film. Members of the BDAC Youth Group not only brainstormed and produced the script, but will star both in front of and behind the camera.

After recently completing a similar project in East Timor, Wayne Tindall of Change the World has already seen the young participants embrace the opportunity to be creative and begin a major project from scratch.

“For the past two days we’ve been brainstorming ideas, developing characters, and deciding collectively what kind of a film we want to make,” he said.

“Already the group has decided that the film is a comedy, but one with a serious message at its heart.”

BDAC youth worker A.J. said the project had been met with great enthusiasm by all the young people involved.

“Once they realised they would be able to develop their own script and be involved in every stage of the process, everyone was keen. The first two days have been incredible – seeing the creative process come to life.”

Fine tuning of the script will take place over the next few weeks with filming due to take place over a five-day stretch at the end of May and a gala screening in the planning for July.

Mr Tindall believes the east Timor model is perfectly suited to Bendigo’s Aboriginal community and takes a creative approach to some serious issues.

“In many ways it’s a creative experiment, but one that’s working and having a huge impact,” he says.

“Using all non-professional talent is an enormous challenge, but will also makes the project unique.”