Filmmaker Statement

Alongside being an independent filmmaker, I teach filmmaking in South London schools. It was whilst delivering one of my courses that I met the Year 6 class that inspired ‘Newbie’. Like the story’s protagonist, Mike, I have sometimes been apprehensive before meeting a new class, not knowing how they will respond to me. However, this particular group of children put me at ease instantly. This diverse group of pupils demonstrated incredible kindness to one another whilst also having fantastic (and often very cheeky) personalities. One of the boys has a physical disability, and I was moved by how well he is accepted in the class alongside his able-bodied peers. Of course these kids aren't perfect, but sense of kindness that witnessed in this primary school is something that I believe is worth celebrating. Meeting these children inspired the story of Newbie, through which I am exploring the idea that sometimes it is children who may be the ones to set a good example and teach lessons to adults. I am delighted that the school gave us permission for us to cast the pupils who inspired the story to act in the film. Their performances were fantastic and the two-day shoot was one of the most enjoyable of my career so far, I can’t wait to share the story of ‘Newbie’ to audiences as believe we can all learn something from the kindness of children and if we can do this whilst being entertained, then even better