Fotonow CIC

NCS - National Citizen Service Trust and CAST Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology recently approached us with a challenge. The challenge: to understand how we could use digital to include and interact with young people. Why does this matter? Many young people (aged 15–17) avoid in-person programs or activities. They might feel overwhelmed meeting new people, trying unfamiliar things, or simply prefer quieter, less social environments (introverts). We’ve noticed this trend has only grown since Covid and lockdown, as those experiences reshaped how many young people interact with their peers, family, friends, schools, teachers - everyone. To tackle this, we’re exploring three key questions: - How can we help youth organisations create engaging, live online experiences? - How can digital tools offer activities in a way that feels approachable for more introverted individuals? - How can digital spaces provide less overwhelming, more inviting experiences? To answer these, we’re collaborating with three amazing youth organisations: Groundwork North East & Cumbria, Allstar, and Fotonow CIC, as well working directly with young people to co-design meaningful solutions. Right now, we’re in the Discovery phase. We’re working closely with these organisations and a small group of young people via Design Thinking exercises to deeply understand their experiences and challenges. This has led us to some important questions, which we’re exploring through 1-to-1 interviews with young people wrapping up this week. We’re so excited about the possibilities of what we’ll create together! Want to stay updated on our progress? Follow us to be the first to hear about the solutions we’re building. And, if you’re looking for fresh ideas to engage with the younger generation or tackle your 2025 challenges, reach out anytime. Our team are available and ready to help!

We're pleased to share the second of three films capturing learning about Improving Lives Plymouth's Peer Research Network. This film explores the work the peer researchers have done, and the impact they are having on services and systems supporting those experiencing multiple disadvantage across and around Plymouth. https://lnkd.in/eM9J8Vs4 Work on the third film which shares what is next for the peer researchers is underway.

COP29 is wrapping-up. Here's a reminder of our exciting project at COP26 Myself and my research colleagues spent four months preparing a project evaluating young peoples attitudes towards the climate crisis. We worked with multiple schools in the south-west of the UK gaining knowledge of young peoples' interaction with the climate crisis. We then took this project to a high-profile talk in the Green Zone at COP26. A Q&A session with internationally-famous climate activists, including Howey Ou Howey Ou - Howey Ou, China’s version of Greta Thunberg - and others. Our tickets sold-out within hours, we spoke to a full house. We discussed the role of the media and how to amplify youth voices! Then featured on UK news that evening. With Alison Anderson @ProfAAnderson and James Ellwood Fotonow CIC I was the designer/artist on this project.

Taking a sec here to celebrate the creativity of participants on our recent Get Started in Skate Film & Photo project with The King's Trust and Fotonow CIC, take a look at some of these portraits! The programme saw 13 young people not currently in education or employment spend the week taking over Prime Skatepark in Plymouth with the Fotonow team, creating films and photography, developing their skills and getting some creative momentum - we had a great time working with them. Big thanks to friend of Fotonow Josh Greet for coming along during the week to share his story and his techniques to help the group create some lovely photography. See more from the week here: https://lnkd.in/eithih4p Great work Ross Sinclair, Emma Booth, Jess Scott, Louie Warren, Matthew Pontin, Camelia Castelain! Big thanks Dan Phillips, Hannah Ainsworth, Mark Rhead, Hollie McDerra and the team at PRIME!

We're delighted to be exhibiting 'A Far Eyrie' by visual artist and folklorist Abigail Tinnion, presented as part of Occult Month at Ocean Studios. Tinnion invites you to explore the strange and lurid world of 'A Far Eyrie', tracing the connections between migratory legends of shapeshifters and imposters. 'A Far Eyrie' explores the stories of ‘others’ with the ability to change into something wild and inhuman; people who lurk outside of the village, or infiltrate amongst the folk. When told from this perspective, we find tales of alienation and persecution. However, when such stories are told from the perspective of ‘the other’ we find something else; transgression, autonomy, and power from conflating oneself as both human and beast. OPENING NIGHT FRIDAY 1st NOVEMBER 1800-2000 The show is running from 1st - 30th November. Whether you're fascinated by folklore, intrigued by the occult, or enjoy photography, 'A Far Eyrie' is an experience not to be missed - and Abigail will be running some workshops during the month, so keep your eyes out for those. www.abigailtinnion.co.uk This free exhibition in collaboration with Fotonow and Ocean Studios is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

South West Graduate Photography Prize 2024 at Photo Book Cafe, 4 Leonard Circus, London, EC2A 4DQ An exhibition of photography featuring; Cosimo Campagna, Emilia Ashby, Kate Bannister, Lola Cockerell, Ollie Heath, Tyler-Lei Ashford, Viviana Almas and Will Barber. Exhibition runs Thu 07 until Mon 11 Nov 2024 at Photo Book Cafe during gallery opening times; Mon-Fri 08:00-22:30, Sat 10:00-22:00 and Sun 10:00-18:00 OPENING EVENT THU 07 NOV AT 19:00 The South West Graduate Photography Prize is an annual showcase of photography graduates curated by Fotonow. The aim of the prize is to shine a light on the creative practice of artists in the South West region and to nurture new opportunities. Selected by industry professionals, one artist will win a residency or commission with in 2025. find out more via; fotonow.org/swgpp  swgpp@fotonow.org with thanks to Creative UK Devon for sponsorship

We're delighted to share this short film by Fotonow CIC about our Showcase Event in July. We brought together over 100 people from across our city to celebrate and showcase the partnerships and system change work that is been taking place across the city to improve support for people who experience multiple disadvantage. https://lnkd.in/ev7DN3rw

This summer we welcomed three up and coming creatives to the Fotonow CIC team, and they have absolutely hit the ground running here supporting various projects. Jess Scott joined us as a Media Producer with a film focus, Jess is currently delivering our 'Silver Screen' Plymouth Octopus(POP) Collective Project with Plymouth Arts Cinema and Red Velvet Cinema group. Emily Fletcher also joined as a Media Producer - with a photography focus, Emily is delivering on our Creative Media for SEND Youth sessions with Plymouth City Council Youth Service based at City College Plymouth. Louie Warren has joined as a Film Intern, working on a brand project with Helen Round - Sustainable Textile Designer and Print Maker whilst gaining hands-on experience with editing, cinematography, and production management. Jess, Emily and Louie are each making a positive impact already, to read more about them and what they are up to head to https://lnkd.in/eg_rWM7G

From sea to plate, we loved helping Seafood Plymouth showcase the value of locally caught and landed seafood with this brand launch film! If you’re looking to engage your community with a story that resonates and inspires, get in touch. More on the aims and production here: https://lnkd.in/eKRqMVRx

As Fridays at work go, "storyboarding a documentary" is up there with the better ones, in my book! Fotonow CIC have done plenty of participatory film projects and the latest is a commission from 'Belong in Plymouth' - Plymouth Octopus(POP), working with a group of 13 young people to coproduce a documentary about how they experience life in the city, the challenges that they face and the solutions they hope for. I'm really excited to be involved in this project and already so impressed by the candour of the young people in the group and the way they advocate for one another. Shout out also to Jonathan Dingle, Kaitlyn Howlett and Karen Pilkington who have brought the group together and are supporting the production! You can read more about the project here: https://lnkd.in/evtUAA_r 📸 Ross Sinclair, main filmmaker from the Fotonow team on the project!