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Documentary video / Charity

Documentary films · Royal Literary Fund

Three writers, and the charity that caught them.

A series of beneficiary films for the Royal Literary Fund, the charity that supports professional writers. Catrin, Kamal and Mel each tell their own story of hard times and how the RLF’s grants helped them keep writing, with a 60-second compilation that brings the three together.

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The project

Client
Royal Literary Fund

Featuring
Catrin Kean, Kamal Kaan and Mel Darbon

Sector
Charity

Service
Documentary video

Film
60 sec compilation, plus three films

Where it ran
Online, digital and social channels

From brief to finished film.

How we told three writers’ stories with honesty and warmth.

01 · The brief

Show writers that help is there

The RLF wanted to reach writers who might not know it can help, by letting beneficiaries explain in their own words what its grants made possible.

03 · The outcome

A set of honest, hopeful films

Three individual films of around two and a half to three and a half minutes, and a 60-second compilation for social, each ending with a call to find out about the RLF’s grants. Shared across online, digital and social channels.

02 · Our approach

Three writers, three worlds

We filmed each writer at home and in the places that shape their work, from a South Wales valley to a canal-side mill town and a medieval Wiltshire town, with drone footage to open up each world.

04 · What we delivered

Three stories, four films

Three beneficiary films
A 60-second compilation
Interviews filmed at each writer’s home
Drone and location filming

Behind the scenes

  • Aerial view of the Garw Valley in South Wales

    Catrin’s valley

  • Writer Catrin Kean at the old Italian café she calls home

    Catrin

  • Writer Kamal Kaan walking along a canal towpath

    Kamal

  • Kamal Kaan writing at his desk by the window

    At the desk

  • Aerial view of a medieval stone bridge in Bradford on Avon

    Mel’s town

  • Writer Mel Darbon interviewed at home

    Mel

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Planning a documentary

Tell us your budget. We’ll show you what it buys.

Every project is built from simple credits — one for development, filming, editing or animation — at £795 + VAT each on pay-as-you-go. No minimum, no contract.

Making video all year round? Monthly plans bring that down to £495 + VAT a credit.

How our pricing works →

Tell us who the film is for, where it’ll be seen and roughly what you’d like to spend. A range is fine.

01 Brief & budget

02 A plan that fits

We show you exactly what your budget buys: scripting, filming days, editing or animation.

Script, shoot, edit and animate. Most films take 2–6 weeks from brief to delivery.

03 We make it

Your finished film plus versions for your website, social channels, events and presentations.

04 Ready for every channel

In the film

“They were here to catch you when you fall, and it really felt like someone caught me.”

Mel Darbon, Young Adult Writer and RLF Beneficiary

In the film

“Charities like the RLF are beacons of hope for people like me.”

Kamal Kaan, Dramatic Writer and RLF Beneficiary

Let’s talk about your documentary.

Tell us a little about the project and your budget. We’ll reply within 24 hours with ideas and a clear plan — no obligation. Or email info@sneakglobal.com.