Film as a Mirror of the Community in Baraolt
Cinemascop – Critical Thinking in Action is a cultural and educational program implemented by Com.Pass Association (formerly Turulmadár) with the support of the Administration of the National Cultural Fund (AFCN).
Taking place between August and December 2025 in Baraolt, the project aims to help young people aged 10–19 develop critical thinking, empathy, and self-expression through the language of film and shared community experiences.
The essence of the program
Cinemascop is built on a simple yet powerful idea: film not only entertains but also makes us think, feel, and engage in dialogue.
The project uses culture – and especially film – as a tool to help young people understand themselves, society, and the world around them.
It’s a form of community learning, where children are not just viewers but active participants, creators, and opinion shapers.
What do young people do?
The program includes ten thematic film screenings, followed by guided discussions and creative workshops.
Participants explore topics such as acceptance, courage, social responsibility, environmental awareness, and human rights.
After each screening, they reflect, ask questions, debate, and express their thoughts and emotions creatively – through posters, collages, comics, and illustrated stories.
The project concludes with an interactive exhibition and community forum, where young people showcase their creations and share what community, responsibility, and acceptance mean to them.
Why is this program important?
Today’s youth live in an overwhelming flow of information, with fewer opportunities for deep reflection and emotional processing.
Cinemascop creates a safe and inspiring space where they can learn to question, think critically, argue, and express themselves – all through the experience of film and creative collaboration.
It is based on the belief that critical thinking is not just a theoretical skill, but a life-long competence that helps young people navigate the world consciously.
What do young people gain?
- The opportunity to understand their emotions and the world through film.
- Experience in collective thinking and open dialogue.
- Space for creative self-expression – through drawing, storytelling, and visual art.
- A community where their voices are heard and valued.
- An experience that brings them closer to one another – and to themselves.
Results and impact
The program involves 250 students in film screenings and 50 participants in creative workshops.
Its long-term goal is to teach young people how to initiate dialogue, express opinions, and discover how culture can become a living connection between people and community.
Partnerships and collaboration
The project is implemented in partnership between Com.Pass Association (formerly Turulmadár) and Gaál Mózes Secondary School.
Local teachers, facilitators, and students work together to build a vibrant, inspiring process of community learning through film and creativity in Baraolt.
Cinemascop is more than a cultural project – it is an experiential learning journey that shapes young people’s thinking, empathy, and sense of community through art.
It carries a clear message: culture is not a privilege but an opportunity – a shared space for asking, feeling, and creating together.
