Red carpet rolled out for premiere of educational short film that stars young people from Enfield

A “hard-hitting” movie about grooming and exploitation that stars young people from Enfield has premiered at Cineworld in Southbury.

Save Me is a 33-minute social impact short film and was co-produced with local young people, Enfield Council and Enfield-based filmmaker and local award winning youth coach, Amani Simpson, and his production company, Aviard Inspires.

The powerful story is about exploitation, gangs, crime and the impact it can have on vulnerable young people.

Enfield Council’s children and family services department commissioned the production of Save Me after successfully bidding for funding from the government. Local young people were consulted on the storyline, script, and took part in filming at locations in Enfield, including Edmonton Green Shopping Centre.

Save Me tells the story of Fiona, 15, who finds herself struggling to navigate several unsafe situations. She coerces her friend Dean, 13, into a county lines drugs gang connected with her drug dealer boyfriend who puts her under pressure to recruit Dean into his gang.

The red carpet launch and premiere of the highly anticipated film took place at Cineworld Enfield in Southbury Road on Monday (3rd). The film is aimed at the professional community and community leaders nationally and will be used as an educational tool to raise awareness of risks of exploitation and educate young people and their parents on how to stay safe.

Abdul Abdullahi, the council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The production of the Save Me film has been a great opportunity for young, local actors who are in many cases making their debut. Their strong, professional performances in this meaningful project is a credit to them.

“The film has a powerful message that will change mindsets and environments and I hope that the accompanying Save Me handbook will be embraced widely by those working with young people and parents alike.

“Preventing extra familiar abuse is one of the key priorities for Enfield Children’s Safeguarding Partnership and is reflected within the new vulnerable young people strategy, as well as within our public health approach to prevention of serious youth violence.”

In addition to the film, a handbook is available on the council’s website that will be primarily used to enhance learning and educate young people and their parents around key themes such as grooming, child criminal exploitation and intimidation control.

The handbook can also be used to help facilitate workshops in settings such as schools, community youth centres, youth justice offending settings and parenting groups.

To find out more, watch Save Me and download the handbook:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/safeguardingenfield/advice-for-children-young-people/save-me-film-and-handbook

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