Earlier this year, some of our 4 year olds in the Moana and Wheke rooms at New Shoots Whenuapai had the exciting opportunity to take part in the Tiny Film Festival—a celebration of films made by children, as part of the 2024 World Forum on Early Care and Education.

The festival aims to showcase the world through the eyes of children. It highlights what they love, what they hold dear, and the special elements of their environment. We were thrilled to give our tamariki the chance to capture their adventures at Bush Kindy. Through their lenses, they revealed the magic and wonder that fills their everyday experiences.

Our Filmmaking Process

To begin, we gathered the children for Mat time and introduced them to “Osmo”—our very special DJI Osmo Pocket 2 camera. The camera’s small size and eye-like lens made it feel like a friendly companion, and the children immediately connected with “him.” We encouraged them to say hello to Osmo, making the camera feel more relatable and engaging for the children.

The process was explained to the tamariki: they would each have a turn to take Osmo with them to explore what they loved most about Bush Kindy. They could show Osmo their favourite spots, their friends, and their discoveries along the way. There were only two simple rules:

• Don’t touch Osmo’s eye—so he can see everything clearly.
  
• Always wear Osmo’s seatbelt—the strap attached to the camera must stay around their wrist to keep him safe. We demonstrated how the camera would hang safely if dropped, and the children quickly understood the importance of looking after Osmo.

Each child had a turn to film, with careful handovers from one to the next. We stayed nearby, but made sure to give the children as much agency as possible over their filmmaking. As a result, they were able to capture their world authentically, with minimal interference from us. At first, their peers were curious and gathered around the child holding the camera. However, after a few minutes, everyone returned to their usual play, allowing the filming to happen naturally.

Empowerment, Responsibility, and Making Thinking Visible

The small size and subtle presence of the Osmo Pocket 2 made the filming experience feel organic, almost like a natural part of their day. Since many children are used to their parents taking photos with phones, introducing a camera with a character—”Osmo”—added an exciting new dimension. The tamariki were immediately more engaged. They listened carefully to the rules and demonstrated a wonderful sense of responsibility when handling the camera.

By allowing the children to use the language of video and photography, we unlocked a powerful way to make their thinking visible. The footage they captured offers unique glimpses into their individual perspectives, whether it’s the quiet wonders of nature or the energetic moments finding cicada shells or climbing. Through this lens, we gain invaluable insights into their world, revealing their curiosity, creativity, and deep connections to their environment.

We couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve created. Their work shows how video and photography can serve as powerful tools for children to express their thoughts, experiences, and emotions—far beyond what words alone can convey. This process has brought their thinking to life and reinforced the impact of visual storytelling in early childhood education.

Check out the full film below and experience Bush Kindy through the eyes of our tamariki!

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