Frome film-maker’s new role

FROME resident Josie Gallo has won a place on the Vodafone World of Difference programme, and will be working with a local charity on their educational and humanitarian film projects.

Josie will be working with Somerset charity Purple Field Productions, which makes educational and humanitarian film projects on subjects such as health, welfare, community development and the environment. Josie’s role will be to expand on the distribution and development of Purple Field Production’s films.

Josie is one of 500 people from across the UK who has been selected to work at her chosen charity, full-time for two months or part-time for four months. Almost 2,500 people registered interest for the programme which will see placements start in March.

Josie, who went to Frome Community College and studied film production at Bournemouth University, says  “I’m really excited to be working with Purple Field Productions – they’re a fantastic organisation that use film to improve lives in developing countries. I have a background in media production for non-profit organisations, working in Uganda and Tanzania, and will be assisting them with their development and distribution network in sub-Saharan Africa – such as researching organisations and companies that are currently distributing films, and looking at alternative means of energy such as pedal powered cinemas.

“We [Purple Field Productions] are currently looking for donations of old video cameras to use for training and mentoring film groups in Africa – such as the Future View Movie Group in Makeni, Sierra Leone. This group consists of 50 members who have lots of ideas for films and meet up every Sunday to write scripts – they would like to make films that address the stigma of leprosy and films that can be used as teaching aids for the deaf. However they are seriously lacking in equipment, so if you have a video camera gathering dust above your wardrobe or under your bed, please contact me at josieevegallo@gmail.co

The Vodafone World of Difference programme, delivered by the Vodafone Foundation, is open to anyone over 18 in the UK and the Channel Islands who has the passion, drive and commitment to donate themselves to a charity. Taking part involved finding the right charity to suit their interests, skills and experience. For further information please go to: vodafone.co.uk/worldof difference.