The Samosa Changemakers project is a film-based mentoring project supporting young people in Manchester to explore and develop careers in the creative industries.
This project aimed to create opportunities for working-class young people including supporting BAME young people, from communities underrepresented in the arts and media sectors, to gain skills that would enable them to develop careers in the sector. By inspiring those who would not otherwise have access to opportunities to explore this kind of career, we want to diversify the creative industries. To begin to create a network of creative leaders and changemakers for the arts!
Our work gives people a voice, from a wide range of young people from different backgrounds – to diversify the range of voices and the stories being told.
Following a successful project last year, this year’s project expanded with 13 young people taking part over three weeks of film workshops, study sessions on arts, media, culture, and history, then being supported in the film making and editing process. The young people chose the subjects and themes they wanted to explore, and the films they wanted to make.
The workshops took place across South Manchester with project partners The British Muslim Heritage Centre Whalley Range, The NIA Centre Moss Side, Powerhouse Youth Centre Moss Side, Contact Theatre Rusholme and Xaverian College.
The films made by the young people, and a short highlights film of the project, can all be viewed below , as well as some feedback from the young people about the workshops.
These films add to a catalogue of diverse training, mentoring and educational resources for use in and off campus, for youth training and employment support projects, produced by Samosa Media over the last nine years.
They cover subject areas including Film, Media, Journalism, Digital Skills, South Asian History, British Asian History, English, PHSE and Drama.
Watch Young, Gifted and Manc. Samosa Media Manchester Youth Film Workshops Summer 2025 Highlights Film here
Watch Islamophobia, identity and equality here
Watch Boxed in – A film about the pressures on young people here
Watch Edge of the map. Running away from it all here
Feedback from the young film makers and workshop participants.
“I’m actually excited to come in every morning, not just for all the valuable learning I’m doing but also to see the friends I’ve made”
“I now understand the different professional roles involved in film production… it’s been eye-opening to see how it all works behind the scenes,”
“I also learned to stand my ground and defend my decisions and actions when questioned, growing my confidence and knowledge of the industry.”
“It has really helped me to develop communication and teamwork… this will come in handy during University projects and future jobs.”
‘I would like to explore social themes such as racism or discrimination as it’s a big factor within today’s society that does need to be addressed.”
“The best part has honestly been the people. Connecting with others who are just as creative and passionate as me, but come from all kinds of different backgrounds, has been inspiring. I’ve met people I probably wouldn’t have crossed paths with otherwise, and it’s made me more open-minded and excited about the creative industry. Also, working hands-on with professional equipment has been such a good experience—it’s one thing to learn theory, but actually doing it makes everything click.”
“I learnt to communicate well in a team of people who have the same level of respect and creative passion as I have. I also learnt to contribute my own ideas, following on from other ideas which is really helpful.”
Workshop Filmmakers – Krishanraj Ajay Singh,Kate Abiola Martinez, Kelsey Few, Niamh Farricker, Bilawal Yasin ,Alayna Ruddick, Zakariya Al-Wandawi, Isabel Oberogo, Jota Homei-Timmerman, Melika Jadidi, Gursharan Kaur, Iris George, Madison Dennell and William Kemp
Samosa Media Team – Aatif Zafar, Bysshe Harkavy, Anwar Akhtar, Nahida Janabi, Jamil Keating, Jennifer Pinchbeck and Owen O’Connor
Samosa Media’s work is supported by The Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and The Portal Trust.
