Short Film Lands Top Prize At Charity Awards

Published by Prior's Court School on Tuesday 21st of March 2023

The people power of Prior’s Court’s supporters has earned a film featuring one of our amazing young people and his family a national award.

Prior’s Court’s short film “Jamie, autism and the performing arts” won the People’s Choice Award in the £20m to £50m turnover category at the 2023 Charity Film Awards in March.

This award is based on the number of votes cast for the film after it was nominated in the awards scheme, with the main award decided by a judging panel.

The film edged out entries from well-known charities such as Breast Cancer Now, Samaritans and Diabetes UK to take the popular vote award at the ceremony held at the Odeon LUXE cinema in Leicester Square, London, in March.

All of the People's Choice Award winners, with Prior's Court Marketing & Communications Manager Dan Whiteway in the front row centre

Prior’s Court was represented at the awards evening by Dr Alan, Lindsey and Kaitlin Lawrence, the family of Jamie, 19, who lives in our Young Adult Provision having been at Prior’s Court since he was 13-years-old and stars in the film. The Lawrence family were joined by Prior’s Court Fundraising Manager Natalie Norris and Marketing & Communications Manager Dan Whiteway, who produced the film.

In the film, Jamie’s family outline why they are supporting Prior’s Court’s Let Me Shine Performing Arts Centre appeal, to support the build of the innovative and bespoke arts centre.

The Lawrence family is backing the appeal as in his time at Prior’s Court, Jamie, who left the family home at the age of 10 to go into care due to his aggressive behaviours associated with his complex needs, has been enabled to experience once-in-a-lifetime opportunities through the arts.

Prior’s Court’s ambition is to use the performing arts centre to research best practice around providing support to access the arts, and sharing these learnings with others in the education and performing arts sectors for the benefit of people with autism, and their families, across the country and beyond.