Flip the Script is our free, film education programme for primary schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney; teaching young people to write, direct, film, act and edit their own films, and dealing with subjects that decolonise the curriculum and diversify storytelling through creative literacy and filmmaking. This multi-strand programme features screenings for schools in our cinema, in-school workshops culminating in pupils creating their own short films, and continuing Professional Development (CPD) workshops for teachers.
Across the year, we aim to give children the chance to experience and take part in a wide range of arts activities to which they might not usually have access to. We provide children with the opportunity to make films to communicate issues that matter to them, through creative sessions both in their schools and our cinema.
In our third year of Flip the Script (and eight years of running a film education programme!), pupils created films related to their curriculum, but turning many familiar topics on their heads. Flip the Script is, after all, our programme supporting students to flip the narrative traditionally told in the curriculum and instead centre their voices in the stories explored and told. Through this lens, the pupils developed stories incorporating incredibly rich themes, including the Gunpowder Plot and discussions on changing power, the Matchgirls’ strike in Bow in the late 1800s and their impacts on workers’ rights today, and activism in our times, inspired by the campaigner Annie Besant. Hit play below to watch the films!
The films in order:
Rise Against the Throne
Romulus and Remus, The Beginning of Rome
The Summoning of the Gods
Circuit Break
The Spirit of the Matchgirls Visits Malmesbury
Mother Nature’s Fight Back
An Egyptian God Mysteriously Arrives on Earth
The Shelter of Stories
It was fantastic to welcome all the students to Rich Mix to view their films on the big screen, where their voices and perspectives are shown on the same stage as superhero blockbusters and family classics. For some, it was their first time in our arts centre, and for others, their first time at a cinema all together! The day was a brilliant celebration and high-point for all the students, teaching staff, and of course, our Flip the Script staff.
The children from our 8 participating schools walked our red carpet before seeing their films on the big screen. After the screenings, we ran a Q&A session, inviting the students to speak about the process of creating their films to their peers, teachers and the Rich Mix team.
As with previous years, we also offered pupils the chance to join our Rich Mix marketing team for a digital takeover workshop. In their session, they drafted social media posts, practised interviewing each other and delivered vox pops on how they might sell their films to a potential audience.
With thanks to all the teachers and children at participating schools in Tower Hamlets and Hackney:
Harry Gosling Primary School
Stepney Greencoat C of E Primary School
Sebright Primary School
Lauriston Primary School
Malmesbury Primary School
St Edmunds Primary School
St Luke’s C of E Primary School
Mayflower Primary School
Flip the Script is delivered in partnership with Into Film and Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service (THAMES). Supported by The Portal Trust, Derwent London, Radcliffe Foundation and South Hackney Parochial Charity, alongside individual donations from our Every Child A Cinema Goer campaign.
Catch up with this year’s Flip the Script programme.
Watch 2021’s My Story, Our Story compilation film.
Watch 2022’s The Future Is Ours compilation film.
Watch 2023’s Flip the Script compilation film.
Watch 2024’s Flip the Script compilation film.