Ankita’s Story is a sensitive, documentary-led film that explores the real-life impact of community support and opportunity. Told through close, intimate storytelling, the film centres on Ankita and her family, capturing their experiences with honesty, care, and respect. The project was created to amplify lived experience, build understanding, and highlight the meaningful work being done to support children and families through long-term programmes.

This project, like many of this nature, came with its own challenges. From the outset, we knew the subject matter was deeply sensitive and would require a significant amount of vulnerability from Ankita and her family. Genuine vulnerability can only exist when built on trust, and trust must be earned.

Working with children added another layer of complexity. Being vulnerable around strangers, particularly on camera, can be uncomfortable at the best of times. From the very beginning we knew, eliciting authentic, honest reflections of their lives was going to be a challenge, and one that demanded patience, sensitivity, and care.

It was essential to us that we created an environment in which they felt safe, heard, and respected. For us, getting close to a subject is paramount. The closer we are to their perspective, the closer we can get the lens, and the more honest we can all be. We will begin to understand what their lives really feel like and dispel the thin veil that separates the screen and the self.

To do this story justice, we knew that an in-depth pre-production process was vital. We were fortunate to have a wonderful partner in LCITC, who provided us with a deep understanding of Ankita’s background and her journey into the programme. This insight gave us a strong foundation to work from, one we could return to if needed, and this ensured we arrived at the shoot prepared, informed, and sensitive to the context of the story.

Because of this we came into production with clear ideas: how the film might look, the angles we were drawn to, and the feeling we hoped to create. However, it was equally important to us that those ideas were left at the door the moment we sat down with the family. Our priority was to be fully present. To listen, observe, and respond. Rather than asking them to fit into a pre-existing framework, we allowed the film to adapt to them, following narrative threads as they emerged and, in doing so, letting the story reshape itself.

When it came to the building blocks for trust, we were able to stand on the shoulders of giants. The groundwork laid by Tina and the rest of the LCITC team was invaluable. Their ongoing, meaningful work created a rock-solid bridge between our world and theirs. One built on care, consistency, and respect. Without that foundation, the honesty achieved in this film simply wouldn’t have been possible.

Through the process, we were able to build a genuine bond with Ankita and her family that was rooted in trust, openness, and mutual respect. This connection allowed us to tell their story honestly and share it with thousands of people, helping to shine a light on the real impact of programmes like Young Carers.

The film has since been shared with the Head of Marketing at EFL in the Community, who described it as:

“The best video I have ever seen in all my years in this role and one that truly represents why we do what we do.”

But most importantly, the project helped secure funding for future programmes! Knowing that more children like Ankita can now be supported in their personal journeys is the greatest outcome we could have hoped for and a gentle reminder that the work we do matters.