The 'Gone' Film Project will build on the great success of 'Gone', Little Brum’s inaugural project which took place between January and May earlier this year. Imagine being 12 years old and watching your favourite film, dreaming of one day it being you on the screen. Well, this project is endeavouring to make this a reality, but we need help to do so.

What is Little Brum?

Little Brum Youth Theatre is currently comprised of seven young people from North Solihull, aged between 10-15. Between January and May, we met every Wednesday evening to explore stories. Together, we devised Gone - set in an abandoned library in 2040, where seven children meet to tell the ancient Greek story of Antigone. The children love stories and came up with the beloved but disused ‘children’s section’ to be the site of their play.

The children performed Gone at Marston Green Parish Hall in May half term to an audience of around 50 family, friends, and Big Brum staff and supporters. The children were remarkable; honest, brave, dedicated and utterly supportive of each other. We were so proud of them. Many of them had never been on stage before and thought they couldn’t do it, but they exceeded their own expectations and proved to themselves how talented, courageous and capable they all are.

The children love coming to Little Brum. Below are some of the things they have told us about how they feel about it:

Little Brum is such a special place where I feel like I truly belong.

I can’t wait to make more things together and see all the wonderful stuff we’ll create next!

[They] bring everyone together, help us grow, and give every child a voice – just like mine.

It improves our confidence and it’s a fun place to be.

Usually I find it hard to make friends but when I came here, it truly was easy to make friends.

[They are] the people that have helped me feel better.

What will your donation be used for?

The Gone Film Project will provide a unique opportunity for these young people to experience what it’s like making a real film.

All contributions will help make Gone happen – working with professional film makers, using specialized film and sound equipment and taking place on a dedicated ‘film set’. This would either be a once in a lifetime experience for these young people, or maybe even the beginning of a lifetime career in the film industry.

You will also be helping to fund our ‘screening event’ which will take place several weeks after filming wraps up, where the children will get the opportunity to watch themselves on the big screen. More information about this event will be available further down the line.

Big Brum has raised funds to enable this ambitious project to happen. However, we could do with some help to raise the final £2,500, which will help us hugely to bring the project to life.

Without that financial support, we would not be able to give the children the best possible experience of making this film in a serious and committed way, which they absolutely deserve. We believe that creative, imaginative and challenging experiences like this are so important, particularly in the times we are living in, and particularly for young people.

Thank you so much in advance for your support, it means a lot.

The Big Brum Team.