To celebrate the end of the year and all of their hard work along the way, the Young Women’s Film Academy are gearing up for the premiere of their highly anticipated documentary IMPACT.
On December 10th at the Black Swan in Newcastle, the evening will showcase the power of storytelling for creating social change, with the debut of ‘IMPACT,’ their new short documentary film tackling the environmental and social implications of fast fashion.
However, it won’t stop there, as there will also be a Q&A, a fashion show, an awards ceremony, and a food and drinks reception.
The event promises an unforgettable evening of creativity, activism, and the empowerment of women and girls.
Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the academy frequently offers filmmaking workshops, mentorship, and collaborative projects held at their office space in Newcastle Arts Centre on Westgate Road in the city centre. The journey to their creative headquarters feels like stepping into a new world of possibilities. Visitors make their way up the labyrinth of spiral stairs in the Black Swan courtyard, and by the time you’re at the top, you’re transported to a kingdom where hope and passion thrive as you eagerly wait at the doorstep of the academy’s office.
Here, the academy encourages young women to be mindful of issues in the world around them and how they can express these stories. The walls of their office bring this mission to life, furnished with powerful artwork created by the young women themselves. Many pieces reflect the pressing issues that shape their lives from gender equality to mental health. Everywhere you turn, you’ll find thought-provoking illustrations, displaying the raw and unfiltered emotions of the women at the heart of the academy. The space feels alive with the voices of these young women, each artwork being a declaration of solidarity and the causes they champion.
The night will be more than just an event- it will be celebrating the resilience and creativity of the young women it serves. It will feature the premiere of IMPACT, a documentary tackling fast fashion’s environmental and social implications.
IMPACT is the culmination of months of collaboration, research and passion from the academy’s young women. In conversation with Clara Shield, Chief Executive Officer of the Young Women’s Film Academy, she explained how the concept for the documentary stemmed from the young women’s growing anxieties over climate change, focusing on the destructive role of fast fashion in contributing to environmental harm and the potential for how this is going to impact on their futures as young women.
“The young women felt that if there was any part of climate change and the impact that it has on girls and young women, it’s fast fashion.” said Clara Shield.
The academy explored ways to share their story and raise awareness about key issues through film. They started discussions during their Saturday Club, which led to masterclass sessions with Oscar-winning filmmaker James Reed, known for My Octopus Teacher on Netflix. Inspired by these sessions, the women decided to create their own documentary on fast fashion.
“We have always prioritised the stories the young women want to tell that are important to them, and that is very much about their lived experience of things that have happened to them, or that they have seen happen to girls and women around them,” said Clara.
Some of the academy’s past projects have focused on social issues such as unwanted pregnancy, domestic violence and neurodiversity. All of their films are heavily focused on the stories that young women want to tell, and they often work with professional specialists in the subject matter covered to help guide the young women.
Clara stated the biggest persistent issue in the creation of a short film is funding. However, this did not hinder their determination, as the academy started a crowd funder, which managed to raise £16,500 for IMPACT. “It took a lot of work and campaigning to get across the line, and that meant that we had enough funding to do a full five-day film shoot!” said Clara Shield.
Clara shared that another barrier is keeping young people interested. “A lot of young people don’t recognise how long it takes to make a film and the commitment and time it takes and that things don’t happen overnight,” said Clara.
Alongside the premiere of IMPACT, the evening will feature an eco-sustainable fashion show created in collaboration with Newcastle College’s Fashion Marketing students. After the screening, a Q&A with the cast and crew will offer a chance to engage with the women behind the project. The event will also include an awards ceremony recognising the achievements of YWFA participants, followed by a food and drinks reception with live music and networking.
For more details and ticket information, visit the Young Women’s Film Academy Website.
