Winners European Youth Awards 2005

Category 5: Fight against Racism and Xenophobia

ICELAND 

Description: The project centred around the making of an animated film to criticise prejudices against people based on race, gender or sexuality. To get young people interested in the topic it was decided to involve youngsters from different schools in the drawing, creating probably the largest Icelandic animation film drawn by hand. The drawing was done by 700-1500 youngsters from different schools in Reykjavik . The script of the film is based on several short stories that come together in the end and deal with different prejudices that exist in human society. No words are spoken so the film is delivered by sound and vision to be understandable across the world.

Results: Involving so many young people in the making of the film meant that its messages received a broad audience from the start. Those involved in the film felt that they owned a little part of it and it made them think more deeply about prejudice and how it can affect people. It also taught them new skills and competencies. The film was a great success at the film festivals where it was shown and won several prizes. At the NUF, Nordisk Ungdom Film Festival it was awarded best original soundtrack and at the Fresh Film Fest Karlovy Vary in the Czech Repbulic it received the title: the new diamond.