Food bank documentary wins film awards

A documentary about a food bank handling the Covid-19 crisis has won international film awards.

Feeding Lewisham, directed by Cara Bowen, shows how the We Care Food Pantry in Deptford adapted from feeding 30 families to almost 5,000 as the pandemic hit.

The film follows two activists, Ray Woolford and Barbara Raymond, as they organise and distribute food to people in the community.

The project was created by a number of professional film-makers who had lost their regular work because of restrictions.

Ms Bowen said: “Ray had tweeted out a request for local film-makers for help in making a documentary of the work he and We Care was doing.

As a freelancer I had lost all of my upcoming work because of the first lockdown, so since I had camera kit lying around and a need to somehow help my local community I offered to help.

“I think the film raises issues beyond the pandemic. Yes we are in a crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic, but the issue of food poverty and poverty in general has existed long before Covid and certainly will in the future.

“I think the film raises crucial awareness of the severity of the problem, but also it highlights how a community has come together to help out those most in need, not just with the basics of food, but by offering friendship and real connections. It shows what is possible within a community and how everyone can benefit.”

The film won Best Short Documentary and an Audience Award at the London International Short Film Festival, and an Award of Excellence at the Canada Shorts Film Festival.

Main Pic: Ray Woolford, co-founder of We Care Food Pantry

Inset pic: Barbara Raymond, co-founder of We Care Food Pantry, outside her home