Skiddle x YUAF empower young creatives in London to create short films

Recently Skiddle worked with the Young Urban Arts Foundation in an effort to encourage young people in London to report on the various music scenes within the city that they were involved in or held an interest in. The goal was to empower these young people to pursue a career within the creative industry in the future and also pay them for their efforts.

They were tasked with creating a short film, with the premise being "sounds of my London". In just six weeks' time, these young creatives, who didn't know each other beforehand, worked in groups to report on three very different sides to the London music scene. Conducting interviews and capturing footage on their own, they took the initiative to run with the premise they were given.

Last night, we were at the premiere of these short films, which started with a report on London's thriving jazz scene by Miguel Mellinger and Lulu Ayodele. It focussed on how a generation of young people have now gathered in London to help push forward what is now a thriving scene.

It spotlights some of the key venues within the city and interviews artists who come together and improvise with each other including a group called The Fold. The second film was made by Ella Campbell and Adara Fernandez who explored Grime, a genre that is synonymous with the sound of modern London.

It takes a look at some of the genre's key moments in recent years which have seen it truly enter the mainstream such as the viral moment of Alex from Glasto performing with Dave, the D Double E IKEA advert and Stormzy's monumental Glastonbury headline performance. Interviewing industry experts, it gives us a glimpse into not only Grime on a national stage but how it is seen through the eyes of a Londoner.

The third and final short film was created by Serena Angoua and Faith Ilori and it discussed the evolution of Drill music which has taken a beating from the mainstream media in recent years. Often blamed for causing violence, they highlight how the genre has changed and adapted past those negative preconceptions to the point that it is now going global.

Producers and labels are now actively seeking to find artists who are making drill music. What is refreshing to see in these films is that it offers an authentic perspective from young Londoners who are seeing these scenes grow right in front of them. These films were all made possible thanks to the hard work of the YUAF.

The charity's main goal is to empower the lives of young people by creating opportunities for them such as this. With over 13 years of experience, they have inspired and facilitated spaces for young people in London with the intent of supporting them throughout their careers. These films are now available on the Skiddle Youtube channel for your viewing pleasure.

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