Just TV showcase features short films by at-risk youth

The show line-up is pretty diverse. We have many different performances happening.

—Renae Monkman

Something special continues to happen at the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre. Tucked into the unassuming building on Young and Broadway are a group of young people who come together each week to learn the ropes of audio and video production, script writing, acting, composing music, singing and performing among others.

They are getting ready to show off their multitude of talents at the annual Just TV Film Festival at the West End Cultural Centre.

"The show line-up is pretty diverse. We have many different performances happening," said Renae Monkman.  

Monkman, 18, takes part in the Just TV program aimed at inner-city youth. She is working on her second short film and will be one of the emcees at the showcase. Monkman, who dropped out of high school in Grade 11, said she felt an overwhelming sense of belonging when she first went to the program.

Having completed her first short film last year, Dreamcatcher, Monkman felt like she had found a new beginning and returned to school and is currently working on completing high school.

"The program has also created employment for Renae," said Lawrence "Spatch" Mulhall, the executive director of the Broadway Neighbourhood Centre. This summer she worked on the Green Team where she learned basic job skills and kept a hand in the program.

Monkman says her favourite part of being involved with Just TV is the staff that work at the centre. The staff, especially Mulhall, come across as proud and happy to be giving kids a chance to get their feet wet in the audio/video world.

But Just TV isn't the only free program the centre offers. They also run sports, nutrition, computer labs, digital photography, youth empowerment and a hip hop academy.

"It provides opportunities for kids from all walks of life. Racism is fear, but they have the chance to sit down with one another and talk to each other about their cultures and they learn that they are just like each other," said Mulhall.

The Just TV annual film festival takes place Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the West End Cultural Centre.