A film commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day and all those who died has been created by Dorchester Town Council and the South West Dorset Multicultural Network (SWDMN).

Holocaust Memorial Day is held annually on January 27 to remember the millions of people who died during the Holocaust, under Nazi persecution, and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, where more than one million people died during the Second World War.

To commemorate the event, Dorchester Town Council and the SWDMN with the support of Dorset Council, have been working with the local community, Kushti Bok, and several Dorset schools to create a short film made by Pageant Productions, to reflect on this year's theme, 'One Day'.

Emma Scott, community development officer at Dorchester Town Council, said: "This is always a very poignant event and one that is still meaningful today. It allows us not only to remember those who died during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides, but also to honour their deaths by pledging to stand up to discrimination and hatred which we continue to need to resist today.

"The film will allow us to reflect on the theme' One Day' - survivors of the Holocaust and of genocide often talk about the one day when everything changed, sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better."

The film will show many contributors, including the mayor of Dorchester, councillor Gareth Jones, the chairman of Dorset Council, Cllr Val Pothecary, and HM Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr Angus Campbell, lighting candles to represent lighting the darkness.

Cllr Jones, said: "This is a longstanding event that the town council has always been pleased to support.

"We especially value the input of children and young people as it ensures that the lessons of the past are being learned and shared to create a better future, and we would like to thank the schools that have participated this year, including Sunninghill Prep School, The Woodroffe School, The Thomas Hardye School and Stoborough CE VA Primary School."

The film is under half an hour long and you can watch it on the day or at a time that suit you. Those watching are also encouraged to light a candle of remembrance during the final part of the film.

Mona Elkotory, chairman of the SWDMCN, said: "The South West Dorset Multicultural Network has regularly held a well-attended event to remember the Holocaust Memorial Day.

"This year we are pleased to support the event in partnership with the town council through an excellent film which we hope will be a good replacement to mark this important day of remembrance."

Cllr Pothecary said: "Holocaust Memorial Day provides a stark reminder of all those who suffered and died because of their religious beliefs or cultural differences. We must never underestimate the potential of man's inhumanity to man and the need to ensure that intolerance is replaced with wisdom and compassion."

The film can be found on Dorchester Town Council's Facebook page on January 27 at midday or on the Dorchester Town Council website from January 27.

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