A film project that gets under the skin
Salzburg (OTS) – The Children's and Youth Advocacy Salzburg (kija) has hit the mark with its latest short film „Sprich mit uns!“. Together with a film crew and a committed upper-level class from ART-ORG St. Ursula Salzburg, a work was created that not only moves viewers but also shakes them up. The premiere at „Das Kino“ was a complete success, and the film is now available at www.kija-sbg.at as well as on kija's social media channels.
A strong statement for young people
With impressive visuals and authentic stories, the film shows how important it is to give young people a voice in difficult life situations. Provincial Councillor for Education Mag.a Gutschi emphasized at the premiere: „The film impressively shows how important it is to give young people a voice in difficult life situations. Issues such as bullying, discrimination and domestic violence affect us all as a society. It is our responsibility to empower children and young people, to listen to them and to make access to help easier. This project is an important step in raising awareness and encouraging courage.“
Behind the scenes: Who is behind kija?
But what exactly does kija Salzburg do? The Children and Youth Advocacy is an important institution that advocates for the rights and well‑being of children and young people. It offers advice and support in difficult life situations and assists young people when they don't know where to turn. The new film „Sprich mit uns!“ addresses in just under five minutes the most pressing societal challenges such as bullying, discrimination and domestic violence.
When everyday life becomes a burden
The short film tells four authentic stories of young people who are confronted with everyday but often stressful problems:
- Lucy, who becomes a victim of cyberbullying and receives hurtful hate comments every day.
- Mohamed, who is discriminated against in a job interview because of his background.
- Miriam, who grows up in a household marked by violence and conflict.
- Carla, who finds herself in a precarious situation due to peer pressure.
In their despair, all four turn to the kija — whether by click, call, or message. The message is clear: young people have the right to receive help.
A heartfelt project with great impact.
The film is the result of a successful collaboration: kija Salzburg developed the concept together with Quadroptik Filmproduktion. Viktoria Windhab, who wrote the screenplay and directed, vividly brought the young people’s stories to the screen. Over four intensive shooting days, the ART-ORG class, under the leadership of their dedicated teacher Katharina Gutschi, worked with external actors. The students brought the stories to life on screen with great commitment and authenticity, creating a strong connection to the target audience. "It takes courage to seek help — together everything feels less heavy! Talk to us! From kija Salzburg — I’m glad I could contribute a small part," explained the experienced actress Barbara Macheiner.
A call to action.
With the short film, kija Salzburg aims to put the central concerns of young people in the spotlight and encourage them to seek support. "Unfortunately, in our work at kija we often encounter young people who find themselves in very similar situations to those we address in the film. Our role is: we listen, we take them seriously and we support them – in the way they themselves want. With the film we want to encourage young people to seek help early. No one has to be left alone – there is support and concrete points of contact and we stand by their side!", says Fellinger of kija.
A look into the future: What's next?
The release of the film is only the beginning. kija plans to use the short film in workshops to raise awareness of the issues and to show young people concrete ways to get help. The target group is children and young people aged 12 and over. "We want to show young people that it is okay to seek help and that they are not alone," emphasizes Fellinger.
What does that mean for society?
The film powerfully shows that issues such as bullying, discrimination and domestic violence affect not only the young people concerned but society as a whole. It is a collective responsibility to raise awareness and stand by those affected. The film "Talk to Us!" is an important step in this direction and a call to everyone not to close their eyes to the problems of youth.
Expert opinions: What do the experts say?
Dr. Helmut Gruber, a renowned psychologist who specializes in youth issues, praises the project: "The film 'Talk to Us!' is an excellent example of how to reach and sensitize young people. The stories are realistic and offer potential for identification. Such projects are essential to break the taboo and promote dialogue."
Sociologist Dr. Karin Huber also regards the project as pioneering: "At a time when social media play an ever greater role in young people's lives, it is important to show them that they are not alone. The film provides a platform to talk about problems that often remain hidden."
Conclusion
The short film "Talk to Us!" by kija Salzburg is more than just a film. It is a call to action, a wake-up call to society and an encouragement for all young people who find themselves in difficult situations. With great commitment and heart, everyone involved has created a work that moves and prompts reflection. It is to be hoped that the film reaches many people and helps improve the lives of young people in need.
