Nostalgia and belonging workshops

The first stages of the Nostalgia and Belonging project began in Greece in April 2026 with participants joining in with a workshop series.

The project, funded by the University of Essex International Impact Fund 2025–26 and run in partnership with Northern Lights Aid, supports individuals from refugee communities in northern Greece to create short personal films using mobile phones, focusing on everyday life, personal memory and the ongoing process of creating a sense of home.

Workshop 1 – Start telling your story

The first workshop focused on building confidence and creating a welcoming, informal space where participants could begin exploring filmmaking without pressure. Participants were introduced to simple, accessible techniques using their mobile phones, including how to hold a shot steady, frame an image, and capture short moments.

Through a practical exercise, participants filmed small everyday elements – places, objects, and actions – and shared selected clips with the group. This collective viewing helped establish a supportive environment and demonstrated how even simple images can carry meaning.

The session also introduced basic equipment such as a microphone and handheld grip, allowing participants to experiment with different ways of filming. By the end of the workshop, participants had taken their first steps into filmmaking and were encouraged to continue observing and recording moments from their daily lives.

Workshop 2 – Your film (the brief)

The second workshop introduced the central project brief, guiding participants towards the creation of a short personal film of around five minutes. Building on the first session, participants reflected on their initial filming and were introduced to a few additional practical techniques to expand their visual approach. To accommodate participants language needs the briefs were developed in English, Arabic and Farsi, to reduce the risk of anyone being excluded.

The session focused on helping participants shape simple ideas for their films, exploring themes such as everyday life, memory, and the experience of building a sense of home. The brief was shared in multiple languages to ensure clarity and accessibility, outlining both creative possibilities and practical considerations.

Rather than remaining at the level of discussion, participants began translating their ideas into practice through a hands-on filming exercise. Working within the immediate workshop environment, they filmed short sequences that could form part of their final films, marking the transition from experimentation to purposeful creation.

Workshop 3 – You are doing it

The third workshop centred on supporting participants as they developed their films, reinforcing confidence and helping them recognise the value of the material they had already created. Participants shared selected clips, which were viewed collectively in a supportive, non-critical setting that encouraged observation and reflection.

The session addressed common challenges in a simple and practical way, offering guidance on how to strengthen footage through additional shots, clearer sound, and attention to detail. Emphasis was placed on building sequences rather than isolated clips, helping participants think about how their films could develop visually.

A further practical exercise allowed participants to continue filming, focusing on what was still missing in their work. This approach ensured that progress remained active and hands-on, with participants leaving the session better equipped and more confident in continuing their filming independently.

Participants have been provided with equipment to help with filming.

Workshop 4 – Shaping your film

The final workshop, which will be held in early May 2026, focuses on shaping the films before the editing stage, helping participants bring together their material into a coherent structure. Participants review key footage from their work and engage in individual discussions to clarify how their film will begin, develop, and conclude.

The session introduces simple ways of thinking about structure, supporting participants in organising their material without overcomplicating the process. It also explains how the editing will be carried out, ensuring that participants understand how their ideas and decisions will guide the final film.

The workshop concludes with preparation for the public screening, bringing participants together to reflect on their work and the process as a whole, and marking the transition from creation to sharing their films with an audience.