Since the summer of 1999, the department of Education at the Jerusalem Cinematheque has offered the I AM YOU ARE workshop, which considers issues of identity and coexistence between Israeli and Palestinian youth from Jerusalem and its surroundings.
The workshops bring together teens between the ages of 15-17 - Jews and Arabs, boys and girls, observant and secular - who have basic knowledge of film, television, and art; and who wish to experience self-expression through filmmaking.
Following tutorials in film, television, and art, meeting with filmmakers, and acquiring the tools needed to operate digital film, lighting and recording equipment, the participants break into five production crews. With the assistance of their instructors, they write scripts, film, record, and edit their films - one film for each group.
Following the workshop, a grand screening of the films is held in the Cinematheque, in the presence of family members, friends, educators, as well as, professionals from the local film, television, and media industry.
I AM YOU ARE won the Martha Award for tolerance and democratic values, and has been screened in festivals and conferences around the world.
The workshop is designed for 10th-11th graders from film, television, communication, and arts classes, and for students who are open to dialogue with youths of different social and cultural backgrounds.
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