Submitted by Paulina Grainger, Arts & Outreach Coordinator

“A powerful way to communicate an issue that is relevant to all cultures” – Audience member

Five young adults weighed in on this question and shared their experiences and insights of making this 20 minute documentary. Together, they represented various cultural and faith backgrounds; Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Sikh, Rastafari, Taoism, Chinese, East Indian, African, Colombian and First Nations. At the end of the 8-month project, they shared that although they found the process of making the film challenging at times, it gave them the space and time to explore questions about their own identity and how well they ‘fit in’ their community today.

It is through their words that we understand its impact:

“Often as a youth, you struggle to understand where to belong, especially when you come from a different country…but this process helped me understand that it is okay to be who you are” – Jessica Pamplona, Youth Participant

“It a was valuable experience as it helped me to open up and to not be afraid to tell my own story” – Brianna Dick, Youth Participant

“It has made me think that even though I don’t always know the answers to when people ask me about my faith and cultural background, that this is alright because it is a lifelong process of self-discovery” – Suvreet Johal, Youth Participant

And it seems the film resonated with many of the people who came to the public screening of the film last month:

“This film is an inspiring celebration of diversity in a time when such expression is so badly needed in this time of turbulent division. It was doubly powerful that it came from young people!”

“This is a truly fine contribution to developing understandings of personal growth and finding one’s identity in a diverse society.”

“What an extraordinary offering this film is. Through witnessing each person’s courageous attempts to discover his/her spiritual source, we discover our commonality. It’s impossible to watch this film and not be changed by it in the most fundamental way.”

This project was funded by Inspirit Foundation and the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. For additional information, please contact Paulina Grainger, Arts & Outreach Coordinator, pgrainger@icavictoria.org.