Artist seeks autistic young people interested in filmmaking to participate in making a new short film based in Fingal

Echo’s Bones is an ambitious, collaborative project responding to the language and locations of a collection of short stories by Samuel Beckett, set in Fingal.

Commissioned by Fingal County Council under the Infrastructure 2018 – 2021 Public Art Programme. The project will be developed through a series of workshops held online which will involve elements of creative writing, acting, composition and filmmaking etc. and will also involve the viewing and discussion around a selection of experimental films made by autistic artists, writers and performers.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. David Healy said: “It is so important that we provide platforms for members of our communities that do not get seen enough in our cultural mediums. That is why this project from Sarah Browne is one that needs to be supported. It is one that will help show the perspective of Fingal through film, performance and writing by a community with a diverse perspective.”

Details are as follows:

• The project will be developed through a series of online workshops held between February –May 2021. Shot in June 2021, with a relaxed screening in Autumn 2021.
• Looking for Fingal-based autistic young people aged 16-21 years of age.
• No film experience required.
• There is no cost to participate in the project.
• The creative team leading Echo’s Bones is trained by autistic performer and former AsIAm youth leader, Eleanor Walsh.
• Workshops will be facilitated by drama practitioner Sarah Fitzgibbon, with Sarah Browne.
• Participants need to have internet access, and be comfortable navigating Zoom (online meeting platform) after some initial guidance.
• Zoom sessions will have captions provided by Otter.ai for people who prefer reading / typing to speaking, who use screen readers or are hard of hearing.
• Participants need to be available to explore their local Fingal area and comfortable working in a group. 
• You can express your interest by emailing [email protected]
• If your preference is Whatsapp text / voice call, a member of the Echo's Bones team can happily answer all related questions. Text or call Sarah Browne on 086 602 0292.

Please be advised this project adheres to the ongoing government health and safety guidelines

Caroline Cowley, Public Art Co-ordinator with Fingal County Council’s Arts Office explains that: “Sarah Browne was commissioned as part of our public art programme Infrastructure 2017-2021 under our Public Art Award strand, this award was given to projects that the selection panel felt demonstrated an ambition from the artist and for their chosen community interest. Sarah has identified something very special here with her project Echo’s Bones where she and her team will guide this community to explore their identities and their perspectives on Fingal through film, performance and writing.”

Director of Economic, Enterprise, Tourism and Cultural Development, Emer O’Gorman said: “This project demonstrates fingal commitment to our young population and in line with our county wide Arts Plan 2019-2025 that seeks to enable all in Fingal to access a wide range of arts experiences and to foster diversity in arts practice and the potential to build new artists from a wide range of backgrounds.”