No Knives Better Lives
Published on:
11
February 2013
Groups of young people from across Scotland have been working hard to create their very own anti-knife crime videos, and now the public can decide which entries they want to reach the national final.
We-CTV is funded by No Knives, Better Lives and delivered by the Scottish Youth Parliament. The project sees young people aged between 11-16 produce their own two-minute films highlighting both the dangers of knife-crime and discouraging their peers from picking up a knife.
Five S2 pupils from Alva Academy have been successful in reaching the final 10 from more than 250 entries.
Five out of the 10 will go through to the grand final where the films will be judged by a panel of experts. In order to reach the final, they must secure more votes than the other schools.
Education Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: "We are looking to both highlight the cause as well as encourage the whole of Forth Valley to get behind the campaign."
The video entitled "Knife for Life" is based around a poem set to composed music over which the actors highlight the potential horrors of knife crime. It tells the story of a popular, talented and bright boy with the world at his feet who, unbeknown to his family and friends, has endured bullying throughout his life. With a shocking twist at the end, it poignantly shows just how many lives can be devastated by knife crime.
To view the videos and vote, members of the public should visit.
Voting will run until Monday, 18th February. The link can also be found on the Alva Academy website. The group would like to encourage as many people as possible to vote for their video and share the link across any social media site.
Councillor Forson added: "The pupils have worked fantastically hard, even seeking governmental permission for the filming of the police and the court scenes for what is an extremely worthwhile cause. To reach the final 10 is an outstanding achievement but given the quality, effort and dedication they deserve to make it through to the last 5."
Alva Academy Head Teacher, Sharee MacKerron, said: " It is so important to highlight the dangers of knives, and our pupils, through their video have achieved their goal of engaging with their audience in such a meaningful way. It really does get everyone thinking about the issue "