CHARLIE'S FREEDOM
Short Film
Charlie is a sensitive teenager who doesn’t fit in. She cares for her disabled Mum but gets bullied at school. When she turns down her place at University, her Mum takes radical steps to ensure her daughter is free to complete her education.
To watch the trailer please click HERE
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ABOUT
Charlie's Freedom is an intimate piece about relationships, weaknesses, life, feeling tied down and feeling let down.
It’s about having to deal with the hand you’ve been dealt - not because you’re particularly brave, kind or more caring than the next person, but simply because you have no choice.
We want this film to recognise the guilt this situation metes out on both the mother and the daughter - how they feel about their circumstances, frustrations, hopelessness and sadness. The Catch22 of their lives.
There are estimated to be at least 376,000 young adult carers in the UK aged 16–25 according to census figures. Many young people find early adulthood difficult, and with the responsibilities that caring brings, this makes it even tougher. Many young carers face significant barriers, bullying and obstacles in education and well-being.
We are keen for this story to highlight one young carer’s struggles and the radical steps her Mum is prepared to take to ensure her daughter has the freedom to complete her education.
CAST
Charlie
OLIVIA PENTELOW
Olivia is a recent graduate of the Northern School of Creative Industries where her stage performances included Susan in Miracle of Bradford and Elisabeth Proctor in The Crucible.
She has since moved into TV/Film and her most recent credits include: The Gallows Pole for Element Pictures/BBC and Ackley Bridge for The Forge.
She is represented by United Agents.
Sarah
CLARE PERKINS
Clare Perkins is a highly-esteemed actress who recently starred as Myrna Okeke in TV's dark comedy The Outlaws.
She is well known for her role in Secrets & Lies and was a long time regular in Eastenders and Holby City. Her other credits include: The Crown, The Wheel of Time and Death in Paradise.
And her stage roles include: The House that will not Stand Still and the Tricycle Theatre.
Laura
STACHA HICKS
Stacha Hicks is an acclaimed actress known for her film roles in David Brent: Life on the Road, Captain Phillips, The Owners, and The Children Act.
She has also appeared in many TV Series including A Discovery of Witches, Call the Midwife and Free Rein. Plus TV movies: Agatha and the Truth of Murder, Playing Dead and The Twelve Neighs of Christmas.
Most recently Stacha has also ventured into writing and directing several of her own dramas.
Amber
Grace
DUMILE SIBANDA
Dumile graduated from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in 2021. She enjoyed roles in many stage productions at the Old Vic and has recently featured in several short films.
She is represented by: Olivia Bell Management
LIONELLE NSARHAZA
Lionelle is an Actor, Writer, Director living in Bristol. Her work concentrates on themes of self-expression and culture. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and was a Spotlight Prize nominee in 2021. She is represented by:
Director
CREW
RACHEL TILLOTSON
Rachel is a BAFTA winning filmmaker with extensive film and TV directing experience. She was awarded her BAFTA for the BBC drama OFFSIDE and also won an RTS (Royal Television Society) award for GIRLS IN LOVE.
She has made eleven shorts which have been sold internationally to many TV stations winning numerous festival awards including the prestigious Clermont-Ferrand, DepicT, Brest and Encounters.
Writer
CAROL YOUNGHUSBAND
Carol writes for TV, stage, radio and film. Her eight produced short films include WHAT HAPPENED TO EVIE that won 14 global awards including Best International Short Film at the Oscar qualifying Galway Film Fleadh. Her other films have been distributed across the world and have won many awards.
She was an additional writer on TV’s Emmy award-winning SMACK THE PONY and is also a published playwright.
Producer
GEORGINA FRENCH
Through her production company, French Fancy Productions, Georgina has worked with emerging and established talent producing numerous award-winning short films including the Film London ‘London Calling’ funded PRICK THY NEIGHBOUR, and award winners NIGHT ARMOUR, THE TOUCH and WHAT HAPPENED TO EVIE.
Her company is currently in advanced development with its first feature film.
www.frenchfancyproductions.com
Co-Producer
KATHERINE PRESS
Katherine's producing credits include BFI funded short A NOBLE TRUTH, Grierson Award-shortlisted documentary BABIES & BELLYBOARDS; and MILK, drama short supported by The Samaritans. She is also in post-production for drama short REACHING FOUR, and comedy short NOSE!.
Katherine is a member of BAFTA Crew, and a BAFTA and BFI Film Academy Producing Mentor.
Executive Producer
GIADA MAZZOLENI
Giada Mazzoleni is a film producer and film educator, originally from Milan but now based in Cheltenham, UK.
In 2018 she launched Paguro Film, which has produced several short films including MOTHS TO FLAME and FULCI FOR FAKE which was selected at Mostra Internazionale del Cinema di Venezia and at Sitges. Giada is an EWA member and part of Women in Film & TV (UK).
Editor JOHN MINTON
Casting Director: FINNIAN TWEED
Cinematographer: MARIA GUERBEROF
Music Composer: NOA MARGALIT
Production Designer: ELKIE McCRIMMON
Art Director: GEMMA ELLIOTT
Costume Designer: LAYAN NOUROUZ
Associate Producer: BERNADETTE FLYNN
Sound Designer ZARA WELTMAN
Colourist PAUL GOODMAN
Hair and Makeup Artist: BRIDGET ESMONDE
Assistant Editor GABRIELLA McGOVERN
Focus Puller: CARLO QUICHO
Costume Assistant: ELLIOTT COX
Set Decorators: CHRISSY MACK, POEBE GIBSON & SOPHIE KIRK
Clapper Loader: ZAC CLARKE
Camera Asst/Data Wrangler: JOSH JENKINS
First Assistant Director: TREVOR GITTINGS
Second Assistant Director: GEORGIE KERSSENBROCK
Location Sound Recordist: RICHARD EASTICK
Gaffer: WILL HOWIE
Producer's Assistant: SOPHIE HEWITT
Unit Stills Photographers: CLEMENT JOCHEM
LUKE ROSS
Runner/Driver: JAMES LLEWELLYN
Medical Consultant: DR JAMES HOWARD
Location Scouts: EDWARD HOBBS, LEWIS MARKEY, HENRY LAMBERT, KATIE STACEY & LOUIS PEATING
BEHIND THE SCENES
NEWS & AWARDS
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Production - The Film was shot in Bristol in 2022
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Bafta-winning Female Director - Rachel Tillotson
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10-minute sensitive short film
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Female-focused film
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Subject - Teenage Carers
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Values: to achieve critical acclaim and help open a dialogue for young carers
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Strategic Festival plan
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Social Media strategy
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STATISTICS
YOUNG CARERS - INFO AND HELP
New research estimates that there are more then 800,000 young carers age 5-17 in the UK who care for an adult or family member. That is approximately 1 in every 12 teenagers and around 2 in every classroom.
The roles taken on by a young carer are exhaustive and are often carried out behind closed doors on top of the normal pressures of a young person's life.
The care they give can be practical, physical or emotional and responsibilities range from providing practical support such as helping to cook, clean or wash, to giving personal care, emotional support, or helping with financial chores.
Young carers miss an average of 48 days of school because of their role and 68% have been bullied at some point directly because of having to care for someone.
Life is demanding. But they still have to study for exams, look after themselves, and not lose sight of their dreams.
HELP FOR YOUNG CARERS - don't be alone!
If you are a young carer, there are support programmes to assist you, both emotionally and financially, with day-to-day tasks and making decisions. These programmes offer face-to-face counselling, online programs, and phone helplines.
Even if you don’t feel like you need help for a problem, it is always good to have the support of others who understand your situation. Young carers groups are run all around the UK to help with advice as well as giving you somewhere to let off steam and enjoy yourself.
Below are a list of links to many organisations and people who can help you.
Simply click on each heading to link to each site:-
The UK's only national membership charity for carers, Carers UK is both a supportive community and a movement for change.
Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. They work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
Honeypot is the national young carers’ charity. Their countryside respite breaks, and range of support services give young carers the chance to be a child again – because you only get one chance of a happy, fulfilling childhood.
Spurgeons offers a wide range of services to support young carers, from mentoring and educational support to activities and trips away to give them much needed time out from their caring duties.
Provides you free, 24/7 text support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Text: YM to 85258
Opening times: 24/7
A national charity working to transform the hopes and happiness of young people facing abuse, exploitation and neglect. They will support you through your most serious life challenges and will campaign tirelessly for the big social changes that will improve your life.
Barnardo's aim to help as many young carers as they can. They will help you look after your loved ones and give you time to enjoy your childhood.
FILMING IN BRISTOL
Charlie's Freedom was filmed in Bristol during with local talent onboard including Bafta-winning Director Rachel Tillotson.
Throughout the years, Bristol has been chosen as a TV location for many famous productions from Only Fools and Horses, Casualty and Robin of Sherwood to Sherlock, Skins and The Outlaws.
It is also associated with many award winning films such as: Stan and Ollie; The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society and Sense of an Ending.
University of Gloucestershire supports 'Charlie's Freedom'
We are delighted to announce that the University of Gloucestershire has supported our film with an extremely welcome grant.
The funding enabled the crucial visual aspects of the film to be created from location dressing through to props and costumes.
This has ensured the right atmosphere and look for each scene that provided compelling and realistic visuals.
Many thanks!
