Bristol's Cube cinema sends its video postcards to Haiti's child victims

Two volunteers from a Kingsdown cinema are to fly out to Haiti next week to start a charity film project.

Marko Wilkinson and David Fitzsimons, who work at the Cube in Dove Street, will take the first steps in the Haiti Kids Kino Project, a temporary social cinema for children affected by the earthquakes.

After starting collections, the microplex cinema has now had enough donations to buy flights for both men, although more is needed to fund the project.

On arrival, the pair will start making films with Haitian children as well as screening "video postcards" from Bristol youngsters. The project will also provide workshops, equipment, mentoring and tuition to make films, which will be sent back to Bristol.

The Cube is in dialogue with Save The Children and aims to work in the charity's children's safe zones. They will also be collaborating with Haitian organisation Cinema Under The Stars, touring the country with Haitian film projectionists and film makers for some of the time they are there.

On February 21, from 2pm-6pm, Bristol youngsters will have the chance to see how the outdoor screenings will be set up and make video postcards to be sent to the Dominican Republic.

Esther May Campbell, BAFTA award-winning director and Cube volunteer, said: "The Cube has always had a fantastically hands-on approach to things. As a provider of grass roots cultural exchange, this is the most direct humanitarian response it can offer. When children who have suffered these kind of traumas have nothing to do, desperation and anxiety levels shoot through the roof."

For details, visit www. cubecinema.com/haiti.