Screening of "Inside me/En moi" short film from Le Cinéma des Rêves project
A workshop for social inclusion
Starting in November 2025, the IYMF has coordinated Le Cinéma des Rêves (The Cinema of Dreams) at the Red Cross Centre in Yvoir, Belgium, a 5-month project with workshops led by the film education team of Loupiote asbl, with more than 20 years of experience in cinema-based education for children, who use cinema as a pedagogical tool.
Uniting their know-how in the field of social inclusion and education, the IYMF and Loupiote asbl imagined a project enabling children living at the Red Cross Centre for asylum seekers to deepen their roots in their host country, feeling welcomed by working with Belgian artists, and creating new group dynamics with their peers.
This programme was launched in the framework of the INSIDE « Centre d’accueil » programme.
Enabling self-confidence through theatre practice
Twelve asylum-seeking children aged 9 to 12 explored the world of cinema through theatre and improvisation sessions, exploring their dreams, stories, and aspirations. Throughout the project, the children journaled their thoughts and dreams, exchanged in groups, explored their emotions and how they are expressed through their bodies, learned some relaxation and grounding techniques.
The work on their emotions, in parallel with the theatre and improvisation sessions, have enabled the children to feel more confident and grounded, giving them space to express their feelings and emotions.
A memorable film shoot experience
During the March school holiday, the children discovered the work of professional actors by starring in their own short film, which was also written by them.
For five days, the children lived a unique experience of acting in a short film, which one of the young girls qualified as “the best thing I have ever done”: giving life to their characters and stories, exploring the narrative of being far from home, surviving war, and forgiving those who have hurt them, promoting a message of peace.
Sharing their project with an audience
On the 25th of June 2026, the children proudly showed the short film on stage, as well as a making of reportage, at the Yvoir Red Cross Centre, in front of their friends and families as well as the local community. They shared their thoughts about the movie making process and responded to some questions from the audience, like professionals would.
The projection was followed by a sharing moment with food and refreshments.
This project wad made possible by CERA and Euroclear, and was implemented in the framework of the International Yehudi Menuhin Foundation activities co-founded by the EU.
Check out the photogallery – credits to Loupiote asbl
