FINGAL Film Festival is running a one-day family festival, in conjunction with Swords Youth Services, to raise much-needed funds to support weekend counselling services for young people.
The Youth Mental Health Awareness Christmas Festival will take place on Saturday, December 15 in the Fingal Community College on Seatown Road, Swords, from 12noon to 11pm.
With major plans already underway for their next 2013 film festival, the team at Fingal Film Festival (FFF) felt passionately about raising an awareness of mental health issues among young people in the local area.
Having joined forces with the Youth Services, it was decided that through both organisations’ networks it would be possible to kick-start an annual Festival of animation and Film Screenings, live bands and kids’ entertainment.
This combined with an array of on-tap entertainment in the run up to Christmas will ensure a great day out for all.
Ger Robertson of Baldoyle/Swords Youth Service said:
“When we talk to young people the issues that are most important to them are mental health.
“We as an organisation, a community and a country need to recognise the importance of this.
“It is important to let our young people know they are valued and we care.
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Liz Kenny, managing director of the Fingal Film Festival, said:
“When we approached our dedicated hard working team about pulling this event together in such a short space of time, without hesitation or thought they just said yes.
“We are dedicated to supporting altruistic events that can help improve the lives of young people in all communities.
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Creative director of the festival Dave Byrne said:
“If what we do here can prevent even one young person from suffering alone, this event will be worth all of our effort.
“We encourage everybody from Fingal and surrounding areas to support this event. You will have a great day.
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Tickets are priced at
?¬5 per person or a discounted rate of
?¬15 per family of two adults and two children or
?¬20 for two adults and three children.
All money raised will go towards this weekend counselling service for young people and also developing a programme where young people can develop a language around mental health issues, in turn giving them a platform to raise awareness themselves.
A schedule of events can be found at the website www.fingalfilmfest.com