A new film featuring formerly homeless people and the Emmaus movement in the North West has reached the finals of the international Charity Film Awards.
Emmaus South Manchester worked together with six other Emmaus communities across the region to create the emotive film, ‘An Introduction to Emmaus North West’. The film features people supported by Emmaus alongside volunteers and staff, speaking about their experiences in communities and social enterprises.
Thanks to public votes, the Emmaus film has reached the finals in a long-form category of The Smiley Charity Film Awards, the world’s biggest campaign to promote cause-based films.
Ian Lloyd Jones, Trustee at Emmaus South Manchester, helped with the development of the film.
Ian said: “We are delighted with our new film and it is already proving useful in introducing Emmaus to new audiences and supporters. I would like to give thanks to everyone who voted for our film in the first round of voting and encourage everyone to vote for us again to help us win the ‘People’s Choice’ award.
Since the creation of the Charity Film Awards in 2017, more than 3,000 charities have entered and benefitted – by raising awareness of their causes and boosting exposure, volunteer numbers and much-needed donations. The seventh Charity Film Awards will take place on 20 March 2024, the United Nations International Day of Happiness, at The Odeon Luxe in Leicester Square, London.
‘An Introduction to Emmaus North West’ was commissioned by the partnership of six Emmaus communities and an Emmaus group within the North West. Emmaus South Manchester is an emerging Emmaus group working to become an Emmaus community that provides a home, training, work opportunities and tailored support to people who experience homelessness.
The Emmaus film is also in the running for the Charity Film Awards ‘People’s Choice’ award, decided by a public vote. Voting for this award closes at midnight on Tuesday 12 March 2024.
See the full-length film and vote for it in the Charity Film Awards today.