Since January, Nerve Centre has been delivering a dynamic filmmaking and digital skills programme in partnership with Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) centres across Northern Ireland.
This initiative has brought together young people from diverse backgrounds to collaborate, create, and express themselves through film and digital media.
Inspired by Nerve Centre’s acclaimed Shortcut project, the programme has encouraged participants to explore issues that matter most to them — from mental health and community identity to aspirations for the future. Working in a supportive, creative environment, students have had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of digital practices, including filmmaking, editing, stop-motion animation, and motion graphics.
A key strength of the programme has been the emphasis on collaboration between EOTAS centres. Young people have come together across locations to share ideas, support each other, and co-produce powerful short films that reflect their experiences and perspectives. These creative outputs not only demonstrate technical skill but also offer authentic insights into the lives and voices of young people often underrepresented in mainstream education and media.
To celebrate their achievements, students’ work has been showcased at special events hosted at Nerve Centre. These screenings gave participants the opportunity to see their films on the big screen and share them with peers and educators. Attendees were also invited to explore a range of immersive VR experiences — many for the first time — broadening their understanding of what’s possible within the digital storytelling space.
The programme has been supported by the Northern Ireland Executive, Together: Building a United Community (T:BUC) and Good Relations programme.
By equipping participants with new skills, confidence, and creative tools, this filmmaking programme has helped nurture a new generation of storytellers—and provided a platform for their voices to be heard.
