An animated spoken-word film that transforms the lived experiences of young people facing poverty into a hopeful and visually powerful call for change.
Challenge
Trussell wanted to amplify the voices of young people with lived experience of poverty through an animated film inspired by a powerful spoken-word poem. The challenge was to tell their stories with honesty and authenticity while protecting their identities, creating a film that felt hopeful, empowering and true to their experiences rather than defined by hardship.
Solution
As Creative Director and Film Director, I developed a visual language that translated the energy and emotion of the poem into a continuous cinematic journey. We created a bold, textured illustration style with expressive characters, dynamic transitions and fluid animation that echoed the rhythm of the spoken word. Every creative decision was designed to celebrate the resilience, hopes and ambitions of the young people behind the film, transforming their collective experiences into a story that felt both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Result
The finished film became the centrepiece of Trussell's youth engagement programme, screening at roadshows across the UK and live performances in London and Edinburgh. More importantly, it gave young people a platform to share their experiences in their own words, demonstrating how animation and storytelling can challenge stigma, inspire empathy and encourage conversations about creating a future free from poverty.
