Winner
The Things I Will Never Do
Summary of work
“The Things I Will Never Do” is a short film created for SMA UK to highlight the urgent need for newborn screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). While SMA is a rare, life-limiting genetic condition, early detection can enable access to lifechanging treatment. Yet the UK currently does not screen for SMA, leaving many children diagnosed too late.
The film tells the story of Ollie, a child living with SMA. Rather than a typical charity film, it takes a powerful narrative approach: Ollie recites a list of things he will never do. The film opens with a closeup that makes him appear like any other child, his voiceover sounding like a pledge to be ‘good’ – not getting grass stains on his clothes, or jumping in muddy puddles. But as the camera tracks back, the narrative includes riding a bike, playing football, eating birthday cake and – when revealing Ollie in a wheelchair – we realise the devastating truth of Ollie’s limited life and future.
Since launch, the film has become a central tool in SMA UK’s advocacy efforts. It has reached policymakers, clinicians and the wider public, generating powerful emotional responses and fuelling momentum for newborn screening reform.
Judges’ comments
‘The Things I Will Never Do’ really stopped the judges in their tracks! It was extremely powerful and sensitive and the story deserves to be known by everyone. The raw emotion was extremely arresting. The script writing for the video was lovely, simple and relatable. The judges would have been proud to have been part of this project.
