Over summer 2009 we asked participants in our Inclusion and Diversity in Education project, and anyone else who felt inspired by INDIE, to use their mobile phone cameras to make a 3-minute film about ‘diversity’. We had some fantastic entries – and are pleased to announce the three winners below.

If you didn’t hear about the competition, here are some words of explanation. INDIE Goes Mobile is a competition dedicated to films created using mobile phone cameras (and digital cameras) that deal with the theme of diversity in school and in young people’s lives.

Diversity acknowledges that there are differences between people of different cultures, different physical appearance, different beliefs and values, different sexual orientation and more. We suggested that you get inspired by our European Charter and tell us, by way of a short 2-3 minute film, what diversity means to you. The winning videos can be watched below. Each winning entry will receive a brand new digital video camera.

First prize
Mason, Raymond, Dimari and Anton, Willow High School, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

“After reading the International Charter, we wanted to make a video that reflected some of our feelings. We have made a music video that talks about some real life issues that young people face today. The video was filmed at school and the lyrics tackle issues such as stereotyping, anti-knife crime, diversity and celebrating your roots. We felt that a music video was a good way of connecting with our peers from all of the different countries involved.”

Second prize
Marlon Formoza, Kullegg San Benedittu Boys' Secondary, Kirkop, Malta

“Deemar is a friend of mine. He suffers from a very rare condition called Metatropic Dysplaysia. I like him because in him I don’t see any disability but a great ability to fight against his physical limitations and have a positive attitude towards life. When the head of school told us about the INDIE Goes Mobile short film competition, Deemar came into my mind straight away.

In creating this short film I found great help from his Learning Support Assistant, teachers and students altogether. But the main protagonist was Deemar himself.

The first part of the video is about Deemar thinking about the problems he encounters in everyday school life. On the other hand, during the second part Deemar realises that he can be, and is a part of the school family.”

Third prize
Mariana Lopes, Secondary School Dr. António Carvalho Figueiredo
“The INDIE Project has already shown us how important diversity is at school since school is seen as a small community which reflects our society and world.

At our school we wish to highlight and promote social union, respect and tolerance towards other cultures. Through this film we wanted to express that people, and especially young people should be receptive to other cultures and ways of thinking. To be open-minded and curious about what's going on around us and how can we deal with the unknown. Through this film we'd also like to show that sometimes young people deny what's different, because they are afraid, living in a box, surounded by shadows and prejudices. So it's important to open up their minds and have fun by being different.”

Special mentions go to…

• “Creative factory”, IES Don Juan Manuel, Cifuentes, Spain for “Diversity”
• Vcitor Manuel Antunes Rivera, IES Santamarca, Madrid, Spain for “Ambassadors of their countries”