'Ribbons' Short Film Premiere in Northern Ireland!

In Northern Ireland, we are now at the stage of disseminating the short film that resulted from the pilot course. Working with experienced filmmakers and with local production firm Media Zoo, the Supermom trainees in Northern Ireland produced the 5-minute short film ‘Ribbons’, which reflects their experiences as lone parents by charting the life story of a woman over a period of 5 decades. The trainees collaboratively wrote the script, built their own set, and were also responsible for locating all the props and costumes that the film required. Several trainees took on the role of scene Directors and Directors' assistants, while others handled the scenery, props and costumes throughout the shoot.

The public premiere of ‘Ribbons’ was held at the Lyric Theatre, Belfast on 27 April 2012. The premiere was an exciting event for the trainees and for everyone involved in the project!  It featured both ‘Ribbons’ and the behind-the-scenes footage that showed the making of the short film. The audience included the trainees’ family and friends; representatives of local women’s, arts, and youth organisations; journalists; the Equality Commission NI; lone parent members of Gingerbread NI; the European Unit of Belfast City Council; and staff from Gingerbread NI and Possibilities NI—a total of approximately 80 people. 

Supermom trainees speak about their experiences and plans.

Anne Hailes, a highly respected journalist and writer from Northern Ireland, compèred the premiere, and Ben Bland spoke about the work of Media Zoo and shared his thoughts on potential opportunities within the creative industry locally. Five of the trainees talked about their experience of the course and the process of making the short film, and all of the trainees had an opportunity to speak about their plans for the future and the positive effect the Supermom Project has had on their lives.

Anne Hailes presents a trainee with her certificate.

‘Ribbons’ was extremely well received, and the audience gave the trainees a standing ovation! Trainees were presented with certificates of achievement and congratulated on their success, and they had an opportunity to network with the members of audience over lunch.

A standing ovation for the lone parent filmmakers!

Going forward, the trainees are interested in submitting ‘Ribbons’ to film festivals in the UK. Also, several of the trainees are pursuing further courses in media or are considering starting a new career based on the talents they discovered in themselves during the Supermom course.