The UK’s Film and & Charity has released a special short film featuring Sir Lenny Henry, Maxine Peake, Rosie Jones, and Steven Moffat in support of its winter fundraising campaign.
The film also features the Charity’s CEO Marcus Ryder and members of its wider team as they make a call for donations.
According to the Charity, an unprecedented set of circumstances is leaving many people working in the film and TV industries in need of support, facing what it says could be the toughest winter in its 100-year history.
Speaking about the Charity’s campaign, Sir Lenny Henry said: “The strikes in the US are just one of the things that have made life incredibly tough for UK film, TV, and cinema workers this year, with the Film and TV Charity stepping in to support people affected by a wider downturn in production, the cost-of-living crisis and a host of other factors. I completely understand that many are finding life difficult, but there are also plenty of people across the industry and in wider society who can afford help, so I hope that by making this film, we can appeal to them to put their hands in their pockets.”
Marcus Ryder, CEO at the Film and TV Charity added: “The financial pressures being felt by many industry workers – and the strain this has on their mental health – is immense. We have to brace ourselves for what is looking like the toughest winter many people in the industry have ever faced.
“I’m so grateful to Lenny, Maxine, Rosie, and Steven for the time they’ve given to help us draw attention to this, and hope that their involvement in our appeal film will provoke those who are able, both within and outside the industry, to donate so we can maximise the support we can give to our brilliant, creative workforce this winter and beyond.”
As well as supporting the fundraising campaign, Hartswood Films (within which Steven Moffat is a director), has gone one step further by also dedicating a donation specific to the eight-week production of Moffat’s forthcoming comedy drama for ITVX, Douglas Is Cancelled, to the Charity.
More details about how to donate to the Charity are available here.
