THE VIEW FROM HERE: “Conversations for Change”

(The author, reading) By Nejeed Kassam

Change. The word rung out across the theatre. The music started and opening credits appeared on the screen. I breathed a sigh of relief. The film had started and I walked out of the theatre; I actually had nothing to do for an hour.

The film was `Conversations for Change’; the venue, the historic Art Gallery of Ontario’s Jackman Theatre. And this was our ‘Red Carpet’ Premiere. The seats of the theatre were almost to capacity; the speeches, thank you(s), and awkward introductions were done. Each member of the audience’s face was, thankfully, mesmerized, glued to the inspiring faces on the massive screen.

Before I continue, I should probably say something about the film itself. `Conversations for Change’ is awesome—and I know that I’m biased. But I truly believe that it is something special. It is a documentary about youth social change in Canada. But, unlike so much of the work that’s out there already, much of which focuses on what young people are doing (profiling organizations, causes, campaigns etc.) - `Conversations for Change’ takes a different approach. The film examines why young Canadians make change: why so many amazing people dedicate themselves to something far beyond themselves, something that betters their local and global communities. The film asks a simple question: why do they do what they do? In searching for motivation, the film also explores these change-makers’ conceptions of the term ‘change’ itself, and offers advice and inspiration that they’ve picked up along their journeys.

Over the course of almost a year, we interviewed some of Canada’s leading social change-makers, from non-profit organizations, charities, and social enterprises. It was amazing because we got to chat to so many of the young leaders that are shaping our country.

Conversations for Change from Conversations for Change on Vimeo.

The film is being distributed 100% free online. We believe that, although the interviewees are all Canadians, their wisdom and stories are worldly, and thus applicable to young people (and older people) around the world! Plus, `Conversations for Change’, the film, is only the beginning of a campaign that we hope will stretch on for years. The campaign includes the book High on Life, which was published in 2010, and a slew of other initiatives set to launch in the coming months and years.

As I sat outside the theatre entrance, I couldn’t bear watching the movie again, I reflected on the past year, working on the film. Getting to this point was one of the most difficult journeys of my life. I worked hard, amazingly hard. I was thrown into situations that made me uncomfortable. I was forced to learn, a lot. And quickly. But it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, and something that I’d never give-up, not in a million years.

(The film maker, filming.) But maybe the craziest thing is, I was only one small part of the team, a Co-Producer of the film. There were so many amazing, talented, and hardworking people who gave themselves to this project. Sitting beside me outside the theatre was Alesha Porisky, the Director and other Co-Producer of the film. Truthfully, I can’t even imagine what was going through her mind as she waited outside the hall. This documentary had been her life, her vision…her baby. For every ounce of sweat, blood, or tears I had given, she had given a pound, or maybe a ton. But the film was finished, and, at least I hope, she was able to give a sigh of relief.

I know this has been quite a personal column, and I’m sure next week, I will once again write about something serious. But, `Conversations for Change’, I believe, is something special. But it’s nothing without those who watch it and those who are in it. It is the beginning of a great and utterly important conversation, about the future growth and development of our world. IT is THE conversation YOU must get involved in! Together, we can make CHANGE. Join us.

To learn more about Conversations for Change, please visit www.conversationsforchange.ca!

Today, that’s the `View From Here’  

To watch the film in its entirety, go to http://www.vimeo.com/25051169.

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