BE-LONGING
A Film by Mike McKenzie“Every Children’s service professional should be made to watch this film! Powerful Stuff!”
(Rachel S)
Book an online screening of the award-winning short film Be-Longing, with Director Q&A
Do you want to know what it’s like to be a foster parent, or understand what it’s like to grow up in foster care?
With thousands entering the care system each year, we have created these online sessions to offer an insight into what it’s like to adjust to being given a new family and home.
In these sessions, we begin by sharing an online screening of our award-winning short film, Be-Longing. This powerful short film tells the story of Khoji, a 9-year ‘looked after’ boy living within a foster family in London.
The film uses actors to provide insight into the real world of foster care, and it is intended to widen understanding of the experience of the child in care, and promote debate on how we can most effectively provide support.
Be-Longing is produced by DrumCamFilms, and directed by filmmaker Mike McKenzie. Mike and his wife Carol have been fostering children for over 14 years. Be-Longing has been nominated for and won several awards at a number of prestigious international and UK wide film festivals.
After the screening, there will be a live Q&A with the director, Mike Mckenzie, in which he shares his experiences as a foster parent, the care system, and how you can help the country’s most vulnerable children when they need it most. In addition, you can send any questions you would like to ask in advance of the screening.
What will you take away from the session?
As well gaining a powerful insight into a world that’s seldom seen or discussed for most people, we will discuss the importance of putting the children involved at the centre of all decision-making processes. We focus in on both your own, and organisational pressures, to ensure the best possible outcome for all involved. You will gain a deeper understanding of the often conflicting factors involved in care provision, the challenges for all involved, what needs to change, and share practical tips for supporting both children in care and the families caring for them.
“This was a powerful short film that should be shown across the country in schools and services, very provoking, Mike… I’m really impressed with your journey and what the future holds!”
What themes do we cover?
These sessions cover a variety of topics, from the foster care journey, how you can help, and support systems, but can be adapted to fit the areas most appropriate to your organisation.
Typical areas for discussion include:
- Family
- Siblings
- Identity
- Commitment
- Relationships
- Support
- Be-Longing
- Having a voice
- The role of photos in the home
- The team and how they can work together to ensure support for the children involved – from the foster carers and teachers, to social workers
Who are these sessions for, and what kind of organisations might benefit from them?
What do we aim to achieve?
Our aim is to raise awareness of what it’s like to be within the foster care system, and encourage systematic change to give greater support to vulnerable young people.
While the care system has long needed additional support, the current pandemic has added significant pressure on vulnerable families, resulting in more children urgently needing foster care provision in the UK than ever.
Consequently, fostering services have seen a 44% increase in the number of children needing foster care, while the number of people looking to foster has fallen by nearly half.
With the UK foster care system in crisis, more children than ever need urgent help, to give them a home when they need it most. We’re here to make sure that happens.
Aside from the opportunity to turn around the lives of the young people going through challenging times, fostering a child can be an incredible experience for you as a family too. You have the opportunity to offer a safe place for a young person when they need it most, whether it’s for a short period while their family gets back on track, or as a longer term part of your family. The relationships you build will create an impact that stays with you for life, and watching their confidence grow day by day is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have.
That’s why today, we’re campaigning for more support and funding for the foster care agencies and charities protecting vulnerable young people, and encouraging more people to come forward to become foster parents. Whether you’re interested in becoming a foster parent, or you’re a social worker, teacher, or just keen to help raise awareness and much needed funds, the difference you can make is huge.
In England today:
My background – as a filmmaker and foster parent
Myself and my family – which includes my wife and two boys, have been foster carers for 14 years.
Over this time, we have welcomed children into our family, ranging from 2 years old up to 16 years of age. We believe that through our parents, we have been exposed to the idea of being foster carers, and have worked with private and Local Authorities in fostering.
On a personal note, I have been in the music industry for 30 years, directing films for 10 years, and a teacher of music for 19 Years. I studied film at Thames Valley University, then went on to produce music videos, documentaries, and corporate videos for many years. As my career developed, I went on into dramas, and created the Be-Longing, driven by my life experiences.
Be-Longing
The Film
Be-Longing is the story of Khoji, a 9-year ‘looked after’ boy living within a foster family.
Khoji has experienced the trauma of living with violent and chaotic birth parents, but is torn between accepting the trust, kindness, and security of his foster family and remaining ‘loyal’ to his birth parents, who he still loves dearly.
Self-destruction, despair, anger, trust, betrayal, hope, and salvation are all themes within this film. Khoji’s struggle to accept that he is worthy of love, and security is not uncommon for many of today’s youth placed in care or living within broken homes.
Be-Longing follows Khoji’s progress as he enters ‘care’ and embarks on a journey towards regaining belief in himself and adults.
Awards
- Casey McKenzie – Nominated for best Child Actor – INDIE SHORT FEST. LA
- Official selection August 2019 INDIE SHORT FEST LA
- Screening at Hope University Liverpool Care Leavers Conference
- Be-Longing Bronze AWARD -for Best Drama Short INDEPENDENT SHORT LA
- Be-Longing GOLD AWARD -for best Child Actor INDEPENDENT SHORT LA
- Cinematography Award – A show for a change film festival
- Official selection Florence film Awards 2019
- Finalist 2019 Festigious Film Festival
- Gold Award Winner SPOTLIGHT SHORT FILM AWARDS 2019
- FINALIST HOLLYWOOD JUST4SHORTS BEST DRAMA SHORT 2019
- Special mention London X4 Seasonal Short Film Festival
- Crystal Palace International Film Festival 2020 21st March Screening + Q&A
- Official Selection Las Vegas Black Film Sep2020
- INTERNATIONAL NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL
- Official Selection + Q&A at the Montreal Black Film Festival 2019
Book a call with Director, Mike Mckenzie, to arrange an online screening and Director Q&A for your organisation today: