Kids make their own short films of deprived life in London’s East End

Schoolkids as young as eight have been given the chance to make short films of life in London’s deprived East End.

Ideas range from a drama about a boy whose older drug-dealing brother gets shot to an animation of street graffiti showing urban degradation.

They come directly from the youngsters who are being involved with every part of production, from drawing storyboards and writing the scripts to directing and lighting the film sets.

A �30,000 grant is being given to Poplar’s Housing & Regeneration community association for 75 youngsters aged eight to 19 from deprived backgrounds to work with professional film-makers. Most live on Poplar Harca’s social housing estates.

The grant comes from the First Light organisation which helps youngsters with youth-led digital media projects to develop their skills, creativity and confidence. The organisation hands out �1.1 million National Lottery money each year as part of the Young Film Fund.

The youngsters in Poplar are invited to the screening when their projects are complete, to show their skills and share their experience with the community.