Hurricane Films are a multi-award winning production company based in Liverpool who have worked extensively with young people on film projects in the Merseyside area. Past projects include the critically acclaimed feature film ‘Under the Mud’ - collaboratively written with a group of teenage first-time writers, mainly from South Liverpool.

“‘Under the Mud’...both accomplished social project and charming fairytale” Robert Epstein, The Independent

“Hurricane Films’ Dead Drunk is a moving portrayal of friendship and family relationships as well as the devastating affect of alcohol abuse on people's lives. It will both inform and stimulate discussion amongst young people.” Sue Nott, Head of Education, CBBC

Using their experience on ‘Under The Mud’ as a case study for the workshop sessions, Hurricane offer educational programmes that allow children to tell their own stories through script writing and film-making, encouraging them to focus on conceiving an idea and developing the structure. The sessions also offer an insight into the entire production process and can be tailored to suit curriculum based objectives in English and Media across key stage 3 and 4. Hurricane have also worked on projects such as:

Dovetails – a new writers initiative for the Everyman/ Playhouse and Channel Five.

‘Taste of LIPA’ - a summer school for LIPA, working with young people from disadvantaged areas, who wrote, acted in and shot their own short film.

The Young Runaways project – a collaboration between the BBC and the National Carehome Association.

The company have also worked with young people on a series of short films, including two with Kensington Fields Community Association – one ‘Little Angles’ which focused on dramatising the poetry of teenage first-time writers and dealt with the issues surrounding alcohol use and abuse.

Hurricane Films firmly believe that young people’s self-esteem and confidence can be greatly enhanced through creativity – particularly when it is focused on them exploring their own lives and backgrounds - so they are encouraged to express themselves and call on their own life experiences. Seldom are young people given the chance to have their ‘voice’ heard. In their experience when they are allowed to express themselves artistically they challenge the negative stereo-types frequently associated with their generation. Most importantly, the creative workshops are enjoyable and entertaining - not only for the students but all the participating staff and practitioners too.

Key information

• Suitable for ages 11 upwards
• CRB checked
• Public liability insurance
• 10 years experience in the film industry
• BAFTA affiliated