Run by media professionals from the screen industry and funded by charitable organisations…
UK Muslim Film (UKMF) have developed The Young Imaginators, a school programme which pairs unconscious bias and stereotyping awareness along with filmmaking workshops for school children.
With support from stakeholders and partners including The Welsh Government, Islamic Relief, Watch Africa, Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team, Into Film and Screen Alliance Wales, a pilot programme commenced with Year 6 students (age 10-11) in schools throughout Cardiff in September and continues until February 2025.
Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK:
“We are honoured to be supporting The Young Imaginators programme. This is an extremely important school programme to raise children’s awareness of the stereotypes in TV, film and society. It is crucial to understand that these stereotypes can be harmful to society. It is also important that the programme will allow young people to create their own stories creatively through workshops. We welcome this much needed initiative.”
The aim of these Young Imaginators workshops is twofold.
First, UKMF wants to raise children’s awareness of the stereotypes and tropes present in TV and film and society at large, helping them understand why these can be harmful to society.
Second, UKMF aims to give children hands-on experience with various roles involved in creating a film or TV show. By working in groups, they can explore content creation and potentially spark a lasting interest in the field.
Each workshop beings with activities on stereotypes in the media, followed by a hands-on content-making session. Students will learn to film on iPads and high-tech equipment and gain basic editing skills, working in groups to experience different roles in content creation. The session concludes with the excitement of a film premiere, enabling all participants to immediately see the results of their hard work and creativity.
Participating schools in the Cardiff is just the start – the aim is to expand this pilot programme to schools across the UK, including more advanced sessions developed especially for secondary school students.
UK Muslim Film (UKMF) is a charity that champions underrepresented talent and voices, both onscreen and behind the camera: challenging misconceptions by ensuring authentic portrayals of Muslims on screen. UKMF is creating a culture where Muslims on screen are recognised, embraced and celebrated by audiences worldwide. UKMF support the next generation of filmmakers to navigate the entertainment industry, believing that film and television have the capacity to transform, revolutionise and broaden minds.
Making sure Muslim stories are portrayed accurately, UKMF have previously worked with C4’s comedy drama Screw, ITV’s Good Karma Hospital, and C4’s Hollyoaks, UKMF also served as on-set consultant for Columbia Pictures’ Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, advising on cultural and faith-based aspects of characters and storyline.
Sajid Varda, Founder and CEO of UK Muslim Film:
“As the Founder of UK Muslim Film, I’m thrilled to bring The Young Imaginators program to Wales. It’s incredibly important for young people to understand what true, positive representation looks like, and these workshops are a unique way for children to learn about inclusivity, appreciate diverse backgrounds, and foster mutual respect. We’re also delighted to introduce kids to the world of film and TV through our filmmaking workshops, which have been a huge hit with students.
“This experience not only builds their confidence but also opens doors to creative possibilities they may not have considered before. A special thanks to our supporters and funders, including the Welsh Government’s Culture Grant Scheme, Cardiff Council’s Curriculum Team, Into Film, and Islamic Relief, whose partnership has made this program possible. We’re excited to expand The Young Imaginators across the UK, offering this inspiring experience to many more schools and communities.”
