Caught on Camera: Analysing Young People’s Perceptions of the Irish Border through the Medium of Film

The Irish border has always been a place of contestation, where any change needs to be handled sensitively. The Brexit Referendum of 2016 threw this into relief by exposing new debates on its future. This paper showcases research from the Bordered Youth Project (funded by the AHRC) which used innovative and participatory research methodologies to explore young people’s interactions with and understandings of the Irish Border. Young people, aged 16 to 24, were invited to sign up to filmmaking workshops, run through the Nerve Centre in Derry in August 2023 and October 2024. The workshops gave them experience of drafting, shooting and editing the films, offering upskilling for those potentially interested in exploring careers in creative media in the future. Film is recognised as a medium for reconstructing and reimagining the familiar, as well as for exploring controversial or difficult subject matter. The five films that were ultimately produced are a reflection not only the young people’s views but of their humour, personal experiences and dedication to the process. From the outset the research team wanted to prioritise open data, not only as an opportunity to share work for others to use in their own teaching, or research, but to showcase that young people’s voices matter in critical political debates and that they have important, informed contributions to make. Their voices should be heard.