Documentary

The ‘It Takes a Village‘ project was a transformative filmmaking experience for young people in East London. The project brought together aspiring young filmmakers from Newham, Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Waltham Forest, equipping them with industry skills, professional experience and a platform to tell an urgent and often-overlooked story: the power of youth work in shaping lives.

Funded and powered by Foundation for Future London, Westfield East Bank Creative Futures Fund and The Commonwealth, It Takes a Village was an ambitious international documentary project that captured and celebrated the impact of youth work not just in the UK, but also in India and Zambia. By traveling across continents, the project highlighted the universal challenges young people face and showcased the powerful, community-driven solutions that youth workers provide worldwide.

At its heart, this project was about access. Young people—especially those from marginalised backgrounds—lack opportunities to gain hands-on experience in industries like film and media. Through It Takes a Village, participants worked side by side with professional filmmakers, learning essential skills in production, editing, storytelling and journalism, conducting interviews, directing shots and crafting narratives.

The project culminated in the production of a 50-minute feature documentary, It Takes a Village, which explores the role of youth work in building strong communities and supporting young people at risk. The documentary was directed by CIC’s Head of Media, Aran Knowles, who led, trained and mentored the young team in the production of the film.

Beyond capturing important conversations, the project gave young people direct experience in media production, helping them develop technical expertise, confidence and networks that could shape their future careers. They learned how to research and conduct high-level interviews, operate professional-grade camera and audio equipment and structure compelling narratives.

The project was about giving young people the chance to see themselves as storytellers, journalists and filmmakers. It was about ownership—of their narratives, their futures and their potential. By documenting the impact of youth work, they didn’t just tell a story; they became part of the change.

This project stands as a testament to what happens when young people are given real opportunities and trusted with responsibility. Through It Takes a Village, a new generation of filmmakers and change-makers had the chance to step behind the camera and shine a light on the people, programmes and policies that shape young lives. And in doing so, they proved the power of youth work—not just in front of the lens, but behind it too.

It Takes a Village will be released internationally and available online in Summer 2025.