In October 2018 the City Bridge Trust, who have funded Spectra’s Trans counselling service for the past three years, informed us of a film-making scheme “Telling Your Stories” ran in partnership with Media Trust.
Offering ten charitable projects they supported, to have a short film made about their work by a professional filmmaker.
Spectra had been long-listed, as one which could benefit from this project.
Following a successful application, with 30 charities selected, 20 shortlisted and 10 commissioned, with an idea about a film about our Trans services/aims, the film Alex was created.
The film gives us an opportunity to tell our story, our journey, our history and timeline of services; what we perceive the future challenges are and a chance to educate and inform on issues faced by the Trans community.
Our key message was to show that within our diverse identities, everyone is valid, equal, no one is better than anyone else, that there is help and support.
Working with Director James Webber of The Springhead Film Company we created a film treatment to create a visual showcase to promote the work of our free counselling and social group activity for people who identify as trans, non-binary and gender-questioning.
Then the search started for a lead, and along came Alex……..
Featuring cameos from Jake & Hannah Graff, Spectra staff, social group participants and peer mentors, the film is a compelling and powerful telling of a journey experienced by many and supported by few. Something Spectra has been able to change, thanks in part to the City Bridge Trust.
The film was pre-launched with a private viewing, last month at the Electric Cinema, Portobello Road, Notting Hill, with a Q&A session including Alex, James Webber the Director and Spectra CEO Karen Skipper.
Along with nine other commissioned films, from a wide variety of charities, #WhoIsAlex was officially launched at the Barbican Centre, October 10, 2019.
Attended by representatives from all ten charities, City Bridge Trust, Media Trust and external contributors to the project, the premiere saw the culmination of nearly ten months of work showcased to a specially invited audience.
Here is the completed version of #WhoIsAlex
Please share comments and thoughts with us at trans@spectra-london.org.uk and on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, using the hashtag #WhoIsAlex
The film has also been nominated for a Charity Film Award and voting is now open. To cast your vote visit: https://charityfilmawards.com/videos/whoisalex
In addition to the film, we forged many new connections, links and friendships, and had a great time during the filming process, of which we have included a few behind the scenes pictures: