Filmmaker Reuben Mowle and writer Kathryn Rossati wrapped up their Nature Calling commissions with a nature inspired poetry and filmmaking workshop at the IW Story Festival. Young performers from Jeni Law Speech and Drama read aloud a selection of Kathryn’s poems, written in response to Bouldnor Forest, part of the Hamstead Heritage Coast. The audience enjoyed watching Reuben’s films, created in response to the forest and Kathryn’s poems, bringing the forest to the urban environment at Quay Arts, Newport in the centre of the island.
“Thank you very much on behalf of everyone at the IWSF for your National Landscape Nature Inspired Filmmaking & Poetry Workshop last week. I was very grateful for the chance to observe and take part. The images and short films certainly made me appreciate how lucky we are to live on this beautiful island. The young people who spoke Kathryn Rossati’s poems were all fantastic – clear, confident and expressive. I feared that Kathryn would not have enough time for her workshop but was amazed by how quickly she settled everyone down to writing, by the clarity of her instructions and her inclusive, encouraging, manner. So much was achieved in just thirty minutes!”
IW Story Festival Organising Committee
Read the full collection online – Welcome to Bouldnor Forest, Hamstead Heritage Coast – Isle of Wight National Landscape
Well done to young writer Jake (age 9) for writing this poem at the workshop:
Amber
A smooth and soft piece of Amber.
It looks like honey as far as I can remember.
I think there might be one piece missing?
It reminds me of a cobra or a snake that keeps hissing.
The crystal is sharp, fierce and brave.
The Amber is bubbly like a pool or a wave.
Photos of writer Kathryn Rossati and young performers by Jeni Law Speech and Drama