Since August 2011, Chocolate Films has been working with Affinity Sutton, a national housing association, bringing various filmmaking projects and workshops to young people who live on their estates. The young people have come up with a mixture of drama and documentary to show case their ideas of the main theme of the project: Roots. Workshops took place all over London, Hertfordshire, Bradford and Plymouth. We're excited for all these films to be screened at the prestigious BFI on London's Southbank. If you would like to attend on Saturday 14th January 2012, 1.30 - 3.30pm (film screening at 2pm), please RSVP to Alessandra Cocksedge or call the office on 020 7793 4287 to book your place. The screening is open to all and free of charge. Check the flyer for more details: We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible! Check out some of the pictures taken during the shoot of the project:
0 commentsOn 8 December 2011, Kim and Ben went to Birmingham for the premier, festive screening of ‘Your Future Home’ at The Electric Cinema (the UKs oldest cinema!). Participants from the homeless charity St Basils created a gripping drama with a powerful message about the decisions young people make and the resulting consequences. The young people wrote, starred in, filmed, directed, produced, and edited the film with support from Chocolate Films’ facilitators. Seeing the film on the big screen was an incredible experience for the participants and all partners involved. ‘Your Dream Home’ is the first of four films created for the ‘Home’ project. A gala screening is planned at the British Film Institute in March 2012. This project is supported by the Lottery through the BFI’s First Light Initiative.
0 commentsLast night was the screening of Charming Southwark, an 8 week filmmaking project run with members of the Cuming Museums youth panel and secondary school students from Southwark. It was lovely to see all 16 of the participants there, along with their friends, family and school teachers surrounded by the museums collection. And no screening would be without lots of popcorn! Aoife has put together a short voxpop film of the event which will be up on this page sooner then soon! It has been a great pleasure working with these young filmmakers and the Cuming Museum. Check out the photos! Supported by the Lottery through the BFI's First Light Initiative
0 commentsTwo young people who have participated in Chocolate Films projects won awards at the annual Youth Oskars event hosted by the Peabody Trust this week. Ben attended the ceremony at the Southbank Centre to see Connor McPherson and Hakan Seydali each pick up Oskars in recognition of their valuable contributions to their respective communities. Connor participated in a music video project in Deptford this year which saw him help create a hip-hop track in collaboration with professional music producer Leni White aka Hazlitt. Participants in the project also had the opportunity to see their work turned into a music video which can be seen here. Hakan is a member of a group of teenagers from the Pembury Estate in Hackney who are being supported by Chocolate Films to make a mockumentary that puts a new twist on stereotypical views about young people in London. The finished film will be screened next year at the BFI as part of the 'HOME' project. The Youth Oskars event is a youth-led iniative that aims to recognise the achievements of young people. Both Connor and Hakan described themselves as very proud to have been honoured at the event which featured comedy, live music and dance and even a fashion show! Check out photos from the awards ceremony!
0 commentsThe screening for Charming Southwark, a short film inspired by the Cuming Museums Lovett Collection, is taking place on Tuesday 13th December. Come down and see what the youth panel from the museum and young people from Southwark have been up this autumn. Head to the Cuming Museum, 151 Walworth Road, London, SE17 1RY, 6-7pm (screening at 6.30pm). RSVP to the Cuming Museum on 020 7525 2332. We look forward to seeing you there! 'Supported by the Lottery through the BFI's First Light Initiative'
0 commentsA new filmmaking course taking place at Watermans, this project focuses around a 20-session programme, each lasting 2 hours, where participants will learn and master new skills in filmmaking. Led by an experienced professional from Chocolate Films, participants will improve their sense of well-being, become integrated in the community, increase and develop new skills, and improve their confidence. Participants must be living in Hounslow; 18 years old or over; not in work, education, or training; and have been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety. Commencing on Monday 16th January and running every Monday until 18th June 2012 (except 9th April, 7th May, 4th June). For more information please contact Nadia Nervo, Head of Participative Arts at Waterman's on 0208 232 1033 or check the flyer for more details. Spaces are limited so sign up now!
0 commentsThe National Care, Nursery and Black Beauty and Hair Awards is a big celebration of the sectors best workers and businesses and this year was no acception. Over the weekend of the 25th November Hawker Publication Ltd played host to over 1, 000 care, nursery and hairdressing professionals at Europe’s largest hotel, The Hilton Metropole Hotel, to celebrate the very best people in the long term Care and Nursery sector with the Black Beauty and Hair awards recognising the intricacy and diversity of Afro hairdressing. Chocolate Films produced the award ceremony films for all three prestigious events. John Sergeant , CBBC’s Dick n’ Dom and top drawer hairdressing professionals were among the guests to enjoy the festivities over the three nights. Check out the photos from the awards here:
0 commentsBe Zero Waste: Join Brixton is to have a second screening! It is to be a fun Christmas event where you can find out more about how to cut down your wastage and how it can benefit you. The afternoon will include drop-in Christmas decoration-making workshop sessions, a Doctor Bike surgery and festive food and drink. In keeping with the themes of the film, Be Zero Waste: Join Brixton will be a pedal-powered screening so you can attend this screening whilst helping the environment! This event is taking place on Saturday 10th December from 12.30 - 5pm, Windrush Square, Brixton, SW2. Please check the flyer for more details:
0 commentsDecember has crept up on us and we are filling up with Christmas spirit! We have our very own Chocolate Films advent calendars to give away - with fairtrade chocolates inside! How you could be in with a chance of winning: 1. Follow @ChocolateFilms on Twitter2. Simply tweet "Just entered to win a #ChocolateFilms advent calendar. Just follow @ChocolateFilms and RT - http://goo.gl/Huuox" And there you have it! You'll be notified via Twitter if you are a lucky winner of this completely unique, can't-buy-in-the-shops, film-lovers advent calendar. Good luck!
0 commentsOn 14 November, Living In Leytonstone: Identity and Belonging was screened for the first time at a screening and reception at Waltham Forest Town Hall. The film, which was commissioned by the Open Society Foundations, centres on a debate about community cohesion and Islamophobia in the area, and features school children and members of the local community. The film was met with a great response and much discussion of the issues. The event was presented by Razia Iqbal, BBC London's Special Correspondent who also moderated the debate in the film. The audience comprised students from Leytonstone Business and Enterprise School, local police officers, the Mayor of Waltham Forest, and many prominent members of the local community. The film was followed by a talk by Ike from street dance troupe Diversity, who lived in the area for several years. He spoke about how he saw the area and how his time in Leytonstone helped him achieve his success. You can watch the film here Check out these photos from the screening
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