Aspiring young Rotorua film-makers will have the chance to learn to tell their stories.
The Inspiring Stories Charitable Trust will be holding a one-day film-making workshop for young people on Monday, June 11.
Chief executive and internationally award-winning film maker Guy Ryan said they were conducting a national roadshow where young people, preferably senior secondary school students, can learn story-telling, cinematography, editing and project development.
Mr Ryan said the trust's aim was to empower young people to connect with their communities and tell stories on issues relevant to those communities.
Mr Ryan said young people usually had their own networks and ideas but sometimes he said they invited two to three people who were engaged in the community to talk. Last year, a Wellington youth made a film on what it was like to live below the poverty line.
"He had to live on $2.25 a day which is what the United Nations say is the poverty line."
He was involved in the Live Below the Line fundraising campaign and helped to raise $150,000 for charities combating poverty.
"We believe the stories we tell define who we are as people, as communities, as a nation. Stories shape our attitudes and behaviour. They can give us hope and inspire action."
The workshop will run from 8.45am to 4pm at the Rotorua Community Youth Centre and Mr Ryan said they would be hosting a screening session from 7-9pm.
"We will share a collection of inspiring documentary-style short films made by young Kiwis, covering a range of topics including global and local issues, showing that local youth around New Zealand are making a difference."
The workshops are supported by the New Zealand Film Commission and Mr Ryan said by the end of the tour they would have visited 25 towns and cities, hosted more than 50 events and connected with hundreds of different communities. On June 17 they will be visiting Whakatane.
The trust was also holding a short film competition and is encouraging young people from all regions to enter. Registration is now open and closes on July 31.
To register for the workshops go to the trust's website at www.inspiringstories.org.nz. They are also on Facebook at www.facebook/inspiringstoriestrust.