SMILE film project

Short films made by young people as part of the SMILE film project.

Image of young refugee with camera Ten short documentary films on subject matters such as journeys to the UK, the reality of being an asylum seeking teenager in a new country and experiencing education in the UK told with a unique and fresh voice, all made by young refugees in the UK.

The documentary film project was commissioned in March 2009. The aim of the project was to enable young people to learn how to make a short documentary film from pre-production to post-production stages. They had complete creative freedom over their subject matter. The young people were put together in groups and supported to make their films. The end result not only gave them a visual portfolio but a voice and sense of empowerment as for once they have an interested audience.

The workshops took place in our catchment regions; London, Birmingham and Leeds. Each project was made up of six workshops and were designed and facilitated by a professional film maker and supported by dedicated volunteers. The workshops ran from July to November in London, Birmingham and Leeds.

Eight of the films are available to watch on our website:

Chicken burger and banana milkshake Rezhwan's film is about his hopes and dreams for the future.
Education A short film made by young asylum seekers about what it means to have free access to education and the impact it can have on the future.
Girls Talk A film made by a young girl looks into what it's like being a teenager in Britain.
Leaving Iraq A documentary about Hussein's experiences of home and why he had to leave.
Leaving it all behind A film about 'The Jungle' in Calais acted out by a young refugee.
LONELY WAR Mustafa's short film is about him having to escape a life he didn't choose.
LONELY WAR II A short story about Ezatullah's long journey to England and why he had to leave his home.
Muhamedulah This short film is about Muhamedullah's journey to the UK.