The Londoners are returning

So, it’s been a while…

In early 2020, 1000 Londoners was flying. Our following was growing, and each cinema season got bigger and better. February came round and we have a retrospective of the project at Tate Modern, where three seasons of the project were filmed back to back in the Tate’s cinema. Then, COVID-19 hit.

It was clear from the outset that we’d have to pause the project. The project is built on being with people in specific places and overnight that became impossible. We considered continuing it on Zoom, but the Chocolate Films team were largely furloughed during the lock-downs so we just left the project on pause.

As the country slowly reopened, we focused on rebuilding a business that had been largely closed for months. Then in 2022, we designed built Nine Elms Studio - this was a huge project that had been on the cards for years. The studio opened in 2023, so it took us until 2024 to start thinking about taking the 1000 Londoners project off pause. At that point over four years had elapsed. Was the project still relevant?

Yes. 100% Without a doubt. More than ever.

After the shared experience of lock downs, PPE, clapping on our doorsteps and home school, the city reopened to strikes, political turmoil, summer riots, and more.
1000 Londoners was born from a wish to build bridges. We wanted to make films and running events that would increase understanding and celebrate the glorious diversity of London. Lofty goals, but we saw them as important when we came up with the project. We still do.

So we’re coming back. And we’re excited,

Chocolate Films has many new talented filmmakers who are bursting to make a film for the project. Chocolate Films Workshops is going from strength to strength, and Nine Elms Studio is a fantastic location to base young people’s workshops from.

We restart from Londoner #388

Watch this space.

Mark Currie and Rachel Wang