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  • 20 May 2014

Writing Britain films used on BBC website

Short films from Writing Britain, a British Library led project which worked with disadvantaged young people, will be published on the BBC website over the next few weeks.

The films were created by a group of young people from Leeds, one of the four areas in which the project operated. Using creative writing techniques learned over the previous months, participants composed spoken word pieces about their sense of place, exploring their relationship with their local area. The work was showcased through film by media initiative Studio 12 and production company Left Eye Blind, with the young people participating in the film-making process and learning production skills.

Writing Britain was funded by the Foundation, with an Arts programme open grant of £138,000 awarded over 30 months. The project aimed to inspire young people aged 16-24, particularly those out of education, training and employment, to get involved with libraries and literature by supporting them to develop their own creative responses to their localities. The funds went towards leading workshops and activities to teach participants about library and heritage work and build on their creative writing skills.

The films have generated significant interest since the project finished and have been shown at film festivals as well as by Leeds City Council at events and conferences.

The first of the films, Saph’s story, is now available on the BBC website and two more will follow on 3 and 10 June. The supporting documentary can be found on Studio 12’s website here.