The Devons

Director: Martin Orton, Greg Villalobos

Year: 2009

An animation film in which young British Muslims explore and challenge negative portrayals and stereotypes of Islam in society and the Media through a series of snapshots conversations from across East London.

Director: Martin Orton, Greg Villalobos

Year: 2007

As seen through the eyes of a local youth from an East London Estate, this challenging documentary-animation uniquely deals with the problem of anti-social behaviour in Britain’s inner cities to successfully tackle social misrepresentation of the community, young and old. Commissioned by Tower Hamlets Crime Reduction Services and The Local Police Team this film used a unique process of workshops and interaction with the local community to resolve long standing issues of misrepresentation and disengagement of young people on the estate. The animation was written by two emerging youth leaders on the estate who realised that the ongoing problems needed to be resolved if they where ever going to stand a chance of living in peacefully alongside the police and older residents.

Director: Rabie Mustapha

Year: 2026

In this participatory documentary, filmmaker Rabie Mustapha works with a group of children living in Northern Ireland to tell stories about their family life and cultural backgrounds. Despite the children’s globalised nature, they manage to bring in an insight to specific cultural journeys from Al-Nuba, Halab and the Northern Irish countryside. We see Maya, an inquisitive 9 year old girl whose hobby is to deliver shocking facts within a deadpan and to ask deep philosophical questions. Through an interview with her mom we learn about her Nubian heritage and a long history of generations displacement. Mahmoud and Khalid on the other hand are more calm and observant. Through their filmmaking journey we learn about their Syrian and Turkman heritage. With Mila we see the countryside of Limavady and learn about a more relaxed way of living where children are more connected to nature and where the girl’s artistic abilities are developing. Through this pluralistic film Northern Ireland is portrayed as a changing place with more than one face.