COVENTRY City Council’s groundbreaking film, highlighting one boy’s experiences in foster care, has beaten 120 entries to be named the Corporate Category Winner of the 2015 Film Convert Colour Up Film Awards.
The short film, directed by Richard Bailey from Reel Twenty Five Film Productions, was filmed on location in Coventry and Skegness and starred local children.
The film was emotively narrated by a Coventry care leaver who shared his own thoughts and memories to inform the content of the video.
Ollie Kenchington, a member of the judging panel, described the film as ‘perfectly paced and lovingly put together… wonderfully scripted story’
‘Alfie’s Journey’ was launched on 30 June this year and has been viewed over 30,000 times via the
‘Adopt and Foster for Coventry’ Facebook page and Youtube channels. It has helped to increase the number of people coming forward to consider fostering with Coventry City Council
Coun Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “I think the film is a great and engaging way of getting the message out that Coventry City Council urgently needs more foster carers for our children.
“It’s certainly a very moving, thought provoking film and it highlights the sometimes difficult journey many of our young children in care have to make through life, plus the vital role that our foster carers and their families play in supporting our kids.
“The more people who get the chance to view the film and find out more about fostering the better, and I hope it continues to raise awareness of the difference that fostering makes to children’s lives.”
The film is part of the Council’s wider campaign to raise awareness of the need for more foster carers in and around Coventry who can provide safe, secure and loving homes for children and young people.
The premiere of the short film was held in June, and was attended by a number of foster carers, Councillors, the Lord Mayor, managers from the Family Placement Service and those involved in the filming, including the young local stars of the film as well, as other actors and the people behind the evocative film.
It was simultaneously launched on social media channels.
People can see the film or learn more about fostering by visiting the Council’s website at http://coventry.gov.uk/fostering or at ‘Adopt and Foster for Coventry’ on Facebook.
Alternatively, you can call 024 76 832828 or meet the team at a drop-in session at:
Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 6.30pm – Asda, Brade Drive, Walsgrave Coventry.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7pm – Alan Higgs Centre, Allard Way, Coventry CV3 1HW
