Where strength and dignity unite, empowering the truth within…

Fuelled by an experience I had as a 19 year old, Thirtyone2526 Limited is an initiative I pioneered to create and redefine what it is to be fully alive, authentic and human ‘kind’.

Through the medium of film making and mentoring we tell stories, shift paradigms and create career opportunities to exist above and beyond the limited expectations and labels society often dictates. We build up positive identity where others have dismissed it and seek to awaken strength, dignity and fearless empowerment in the lives of the young people we work with …

Wake - Up

INSIDE OUT, Our first Film Project was funded by the Mayor of London and the Young Londoners Fund and discovered by and launched on the Amazon Prime platform.

The Project began with 8 young men in HMYOI Feltham who I mentored and culminated in the making of short film WAKE-UP, created, devised and written by them. These men wanted to use the power of their voices to initiate a conversation, create and inspire change by inviting you to be part of their story.

Written in response to what is happening in the cities where they live, the narrative was developed through a series of honest discussions, mentoring and creative workshops. Interweaving prose, dialogue and spoken word, the script was written and developed by the young men - often alone in their cells - and brought to the following days workshop to be shared with the group.

Throughout the production, the company of young people were supported by working professionals in the Industry and their film was produced by a professional team of creatives and working alongside young people living in the boroughs of Newham and Lambeth.

The project garnered the interest and support of Screen writer Ronan Bennett (Top Boy, Public Enemies) and Film Director, Producer Don Boyd (Scum) and was supported by Applecart Arts.

You can read testimonials from the writers and reviews of the film here.

News …

‘Anonymous’ our 2nd short film is in pre-production and sponsored by Amazon Prime U.K. It was written with 2 of the original young men from Wake - Up, one of whom graduated from the Met Film School in 2024.

The film production runs in conjunction with our Film Production training program, for those I have mentored and have been released or who are eligible for Release on Temporary Licence.

Watch this space for further updates …

If you would like to know more about the work or if you are a creative who would like to get involved, please contact me here

Creatives to Date: Michael Balogun, Sam Benjamin, Jamal Khan, Shash Lall, Matshidiso Mohajane, Peter Moreton, Nathalie Pownall, Amani Simpson, Charlie Toko, Chantelle de Carvalho

Special Thanks to: Richard Holman, Alexis Rodney, Greg Byron, Helen Hayford, Young Creators UK, New Vic College, 500 Reasons

Photo Credits: ©2019 Thirtyone2526 Films & Nathalie Pownall, Photographers, Catherine Shelley and Ade Oke featuring Actors; Kai Francis Lewis, Nii Akin, Rebecca Dike, Ayo-Dele Edwards, Joshua Boyd-Campbell, David Ormodia, Daniella Cardenas, Terrell Lewis, Kieron Taylor Ford.

Registered Office: Thirtyone2526 Limited - 71-75 Shelton Street - Covent Garden - London - WC2H 9JQ

Company Number: 15329599