Students' Jerriais film screened internationally

A remarkable achievement has been made by a group of students from Jersey, as their short film is set to be showcased at international film festivals across the globe. The film, titled Lé Viage, which translates to The Journey in English, was crafted by two talented students, Megan McKenna, aged 15, and Cameron Crocker, aged 14, as part of a school project at La Passerelle. The film features local student Melissa Dean in the lead role, bringing the story to life. Lé Viage has already garnered recognition, winning an award for best original score at the Californian Best Shorts Competition and receiving an honorable mention at the UK Film Awards in November 2024. Furthermore, the film is currently awaiting confirmation for selection at nine additional international film festivals, showcasing its potential to reach a wider audience. The narrative of Lé Viage revolves around a young girl's bond with her horse, which serves as a source of support as she navigates the challenges of bullying and feelings of isolation at school. Megan expressed her astonishment at the film's success, while Cameron shared his feelings of awe, stating, 'It's kind of breathtaking to think that our work has gone so far. ' Both students revealed that their personal experiences in education, along with Megan's passion for horse riding, which she began at the age of 13, inspired them to create this film. Cameron added, 'We wanted this film to go far and wide to help people who were in similar positions to us. ' The film was presented to notable figures, including the Lieutenant Governor and various government ministers, in 2024. La Passerelle School is known for providing support to students who face difficulties in their education due to issues such as anxiety. The film was produced by Green Eye Productions, a local production company. Julie Wallman, the CEO of Green Eye, praised the students for their inspiring work, especially considering the challenges they have faced in their educational journeys. She expressed her hope that the film would resonate with both parents and children who are struggling within the mainstream education system. Julie emphasized the importance of embracing creative learning styles to engage every child in their education. Parts of Lé Viage were filmed at the picturesque St Ouen's Bay, where stunning visuals of a horse running along the beach were captured. The film carries a powerful message, stating, 'Everyone has a journey. ' Notably, Lé Viage is primarily written and spoken in Jèrriais, a language that Megan and Cameron felt added a unique touch to the film, highlighting the idea that communication can take many forms. Ben Spink, the head of services at L'Office du Jèrriais, expressed his pride in the students for choosing to showcase the language in their film. He remarked, 'Without young people becoming interested in the language, then it won't survive, so I'm really heartened these two young people chose the language to make their film in. ' Ben also noted that access to entertainment content in Jèrriais can help more individuals learn and preserve the language for future generations.