The project follows Louis Theroux’s documentary ‘Inside the Manosphere’, which was released on Netflix last month
Susan Dungworth, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria (bottom right) with members of The Young Women’s Film Academy (YWFA), who will create ‘Stories of the Manosphere’ (Image: The Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria)
A ‘Manosphere’ film project which aims to give women a voice has been awarded funding by Northumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner. Louis Theroux’s documentary ‘Inside the Manosphere’ was released on Netflix last month.
In the documentary, which has been watched across the globe, the broadcaster investigates a growing ultra-masculine network. The 55-year-old also speaks to a number of its controversial influencers.
A group of women from Newcastle will now produce their own ‘Manosphere’ documentary-drama which aims to give women a voice. The Young Women’s Film Academy (YWFA) will create ‘Stories of the Manosphere’ in which they will explore the lived experiences of girls and women who have suffered misogyny and abuse.
The film will then be used to educate young people, parents and professionals on the subject. They have been allocated funding for the project by Susan Dungworth as part of the Commissioner’s Community Fund.
Their project is one of 27 across the Northumbria Police force set to to benefit from a share of the £114,820 funding pot. Other beneficiaries include: Prudhoe Youth Project (Northumberland), Springwell Community Village Venue (Gateshead), Al Azhar Mosque (South Tyneside), North Tyneside Disability Forum (North Tyneside) and Parker Trust CIO (Sunderland).
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Susan Dungworth said: “The Young Women’s Film Academy was certainly one of several stand-out bids. We know misogyny is at the root of all violence against women and girls and influencers like those in the Louis Theroux documentary are undoubtedly having a really worrying impact on young men and boys’ attitudes to women and relationships.
“While many, including myself, welcome this documentary for shining a light on an important issue – the documentary seems to lack how this manosphere culture actively affects women – many have commented on the limited female contributions.
“And so here we are with a project idea aiming to do just that – explore real life experiences and give women a voice in all this manosphere chat and I can’t wait to see the film and make sure they get heard.”
The Fund aims to support organisations and grassroot projects that want to help towards delivering the Police and Crime Commissioner’s plan for safer streets and stronger communities. The YWFA is known for supporting young women and girls to creatively explore concerns, anxieties and issues that are important to them.
Clara Shield, Founder & CEO of YWFA said: “We are delighted to have received this funding which will enable us to create a film and educational resource, that shares the lived experiences of the girls and young women we work with, telling the stories that audiences are not hearing. We know the importance of raising this issue with boys, young men and wider society, however this should never be to the detriment or the silencing of women and girls.
“They are the victims. Our film project will provide a platform to do justice to their stories, handled with care and compassion.”
The Commissioner’s Community Fund applications were managed Community Foundation North East, a charity which has guided effective giving across the region since 1988.
ChronicleLive has created a dedicated WhatsApp community for breaking news and our biggest stories. You can join this WhatsApp community here. It will keep you up-to-date with news as it breaks and our top stories of the day sent directly to your phone.
