Recently, Izaiah Staunton and Bella Brogan alongside their families from Dublin were two of the six LauraLynn families on the Red Carpet at the Odeon Charlestown for one of the most magical events in the LauraLynn calendar, The LauraLynn Oscars. Izaiah played a starring role in his movie “The Haunted Stauntons.” In “The Haunted Stauntons,” Izaiah’s love for all things spooky takes centre stage when he wins a VIP Ghost Tour of Malahide Castle. Some mysterious activity blurs the lines between reality and supernatural and Izaiah’s ghost-hunting skills are called upon to save the day.
While Bella took to the big screen for her premier of “Bella’s Big Adventure” Bella’s love of fairy tales takes us on a whimsical journey through a grey and lifeless Oz. As Bella embarks on an adventure with the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, this movie teaches her the true meaning of family. Both enchanting stories remind us all that even in the darkest times, hope and kindness can light the way.
The LauraLynn Oscars is a digital storytelling initiative providing LauraLynn children with life-limiting conditions and their families a platform to create their own unique movie while supported by industry professional writers. It culminates in a glamorous red-carpet event, offering a once-in-lifetime movie premiere experience for the entire family. The idea for the Oscars Project which is now in its 7th year began as a film workshop for siblings, which LauraLynn Play Therapist Michelle Hartnett, organised after researching the topic of sibling loss. The project quickly developed into a larger family-focused event.
The project is coordinated by Senior Play Therapist, Michelle Hartnett and Project Coordinator, Lorna Collins with support from long standing LauraLynn volunteer Joanna Butler and a team of industry professionals and volunteers.
Michelle Harnett, Senior Play Therapist at LauraLynn said ‘’ The LauraLynn Oscars is a unique initiative that goes beyond the traditional scope of filmmaking. It offers families an incredible opportunity to explore their dynamics, share their personal stories, and collaborate in creative ways they may have never imagined before. Guided by experts across various disciplines, each family takes on the role of creator, crafting their own cinematic masterpiece. But the project is about more than just making a film; it’s about fostering deeper connections, creating lasting memories, and strengthening the bonds between family members, extended relatives, and the broader community.
The project culminates in a grand Oscars-style celebration, where families not only showcase their cinematic achievements but also experience the joy of recognizing and applauding each other’s talents and contributions. This celebration is a powerful testament to unity, creativity, and the enduring strength of family bonds. This initiative is crucial because it empowers families to actively participate in the storytelling process, allowing them to see their own narratives unfold on screen. More importantly, it gives them a special day to stand in the spotlight together, celebrating their unique journey as a family and creating moments of beauty, joy, and memories that will last a lifetime.”
Speaking about the experience, Izaiah’s Parents said “From the moment we met with the team and scriptwriters to the filming and finally seeing it all come to life on screen, the entire experience was nothing short of magical. We’ve created beautiful, lasting memories, and we are so grateful to the team at LauraLynn for making it all possible.”
Bella’s Parents added ‘’The Oscars truly has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us as a family. Bella has had an amazing time and we have made such incredible memories as a family.’’
Each of the families taking part create a movie that is unique to them and reflect their own unique personalities. The common theme across all movies at the LauraLynn Oscars is the starring role is played by the child who has the life-limiting condition.
