It’s a pretty depressing time all round but the good news is that Approval Needed has been selected to join the Be Kind Movement’s schools programme of workshops aimed at helping children find their way to becoming kinder and more thoughtful and empathetic adults.
The writing and making of Approval Needed was an act of hope, supported by the kindness and generosity of many Kickstarter donors, and the hard work and dedication of the amazing cast, crew and post-production team. At the film’s heart there was a shared desire to tell a story that would make audiences think about how we treat those around us and see the loneliness that is so often right in front of our eyes and yet invisible because of the way modern life dehumanises many of the most vulnerable in our society. It was an act of hope and yet there was always an awareness that it might be like whispering in the wind – in reality films rarely change the world.
Nonetheless, we’ve had a great run of lovely film festivals which took the film as far away as Australia but the news that the film is to be included in the Be Kind Movement’s schools workshop programme is really the icing on the cake.
2020 may have been a dreadful year but the future is looking hopeful. Thank you to everyone who made this journey possible and to the Be Kind Movement for giving us this opportunity – it is everything we could have wished for when we took those first steps – to now have a chance to take our message of tolerance and empathy into schools is just amazing.
Keep healthy, keep hopeful, keep happy.
Kx
