FOR someone who has made a name for himself sharing words and ideas on the Internet, 13year-old Mac Harmon certainly receives a lot of conventional snail mail.
The West Vancouver secondary student's room is plastered with drawings and letters - some of them written in foreign languages - sent by kids who have been inspired by Harmon's online videos that address bullying, youth homelessness and diversity.
"It is something that I can do really well and send a message too," Harmon says of filmmaking. "My videos can be sad, serious, funny and they can reach people from all over the world."
All social media networks combined, Harmon has amassed some 60,000 friends and followers over the last few years.
Recognizing his interest in film, Harmon's Grade 6 teacher encouraged him to make his first awareness-raising video in February 2010 for Pink Shirt Day. His anti-bullying film proved a hit with his fellow students and, as a result, he was invited to appear on Breakfast Television.
Since then, he has made videos about youth homelessness and the aftermath of the 2011 Stanley Cup riot. He has presented his work at a number of elementary schools and also appeared in the video for "To This Day," a spoken-word poem by Shane Koyczan that examines the lasting impact of bullying on an individual.
Harmon's largest following is in Belgium and his online fans have extended an invitation for him to visit. He hopes to make a 10-day trip to the country in July and, while there, film a short video about "the courage to come back." But his trip is contingent on raising $5,500 to cover his and his mom's airfare and accommodation. To help, he has set up a crowd-funding campaign at indiegogo.com/projects/ dream-wish-believe.
Though the trip is not yet booked, he has already lined up a tentative itinerary of public appearances and media interviews.
"As wonderful as the trip sounds, this will be a working trip for Mac," says his mom Karen, explaining he will be producing, filming and editing. He will also perform hip-hop dance routines and speak with as many young people as possible, she says.
