With this project, we want to encourage 13 to 16 year olds to engage with film actively and critically. We believe that this younger group to which the Erasmus+ addresses is an important age group, often forgotten in cultural projects and exchanges. By viewing and discussing a diverse range of relevant topics, we want to stimulate media and image literacy and turn young people into critical and active audience members. By bringing together young people from different European countries, the projects and discussions get an intercultural layer, whilst strengthening the European identity. Participants decide on awards, giving way to constructive and intercultural discussions. During their stay, we also want to encourage participants to discover new talents and interests and develop them via festival projects. We do this by using innovative learning methods. For the first time, participants will meet each other even before the exchange during a preparatory meeting. During the year 2026, participants will travel to another youth film festival to meet each other and to prepare the International Youth Exchange at Filem’On. This way, we want to put emphasis on the European dimension of the project, and give participants, in particular participants from vulnerable backgrounds, a chance to travel and discover another film festival! Fostering an European identity We want to connect European youngsters with European youth film, as well as European history and heritage. We want to continue to create awareness about the European Identity and to reflect what is to be an European! With the new preparatory meeting in one of our partner countries, we want to further strengthen this European identity. Supporting intercultural exchange During the project, we organise different opportunities for intercultural exchange. Participants will have a an cultural evening, in which they will learn more about partner organisations countries. During discussions, participants will discuss a wide range of topical themes and will dive into how these topics are approached in their respective countries. We also look for fun ways to strengthen intercultural exchange. During the Teen Party for example, participants are encouraged to add popular songs from their respective countries to the playlist. Co-creating the festival with participants During the project, participants can choose their own activity group, based on interest and talent. Examples are: presenting a film + preparing a Q&A, making a film, making a festival reportage, preparing the Teen Party/Award Ceremony... These activity groups are made based on the input given by participants at the preparatory meeting. The results are intergrated into the festival, making it a festival for and by young people! Creating an interest based community We want to give young people the chance to embrace their talents and develop them in the context of the film festival, together with their peers, so that they can improve socially and emotionally. By meeting other participants, they create a positive community based on shared interests, in which they can further evolve! Building up digital competences We promote media and image literacy, and stimulate digital competences, with a focus on sustainability. During the activity groups, participants will work with and learn more about editing software, editing possibilities and filming equipment such as Ipads, microphones,... they will gather hands-on experience via 'learning by doing' and work towards a concrete result. They are assisted by a professional filmmaker, with experience with working with young people. We also raise awareness on green practices during film production, such as sharing via links instead of attachments and working collaboratively 'in the cloud'. Raising awareness on sustainability Ecology and sustainability are fundamental factors in all our decision making and we want to pass on this attitude to the participants. We not only want to raise awareness on ecology via our film programme, but also throught best practices. Participants are encouraged and inspired to help the environment via small actions, such as carrying a water bottle, saving food for later, using public transport,...