Film Festival
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Last year Kelly’s Story won the
Recovery Street Film Festival. In 2015,
Kelly Judge was sleeping rough on
the streets of London with no support
network. Her children had been taken
into care and she was unsure how
long she would survive. Interview by
Chris Franks from CGL
A Winner’s TAle
What were you feeling at this point
in your life?
‘I was at the end of a very long,
treacherous road. I was beaten down
and I was alone. I had no family around
me, I had no friends around me. I was
completely isolated, a shell of a person. I
couldn’t see a way out of it. I knew there
was something that needed to be done
but I didn’t know how to get the help
and I didn’t kn ow if I could actually do it
after 16 years of using drugs. Everything
in my life was a question mark.’
Tell us about your experience of
making the winning film for the
2017 festival, Kelly’s Story
(produced by Jeremiah Quinn).
‘My biggest motivator was to let people
know that if I can do it, then so can
they. Part of the process of being in
recovery is giving back to others in
recovery. I was really nervous when I
was told I was going to meet this guy at
Trafalgar Square so he could film where
I used to be, and then come back to the
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service for the main part of the inter -
view. I was nervous about what he was
going to ask me and what was expect -
ed of me. I met Jeremiah, who was
making the film, and he put me at ease
completely. I just told my story to him
and didn’t think about anyone seeing it.
I never thought so many people would
see it and come up to me and say, “I
saw your film, it was amazing.”
‘The biggest thing I learnt from the
experience was that I have the ability to
get a message across, just by being
myself. I’m just telling my story. I’ve
lived it, and that’s all I’m talking about.
When someone gets impacted by that
it makes me feel like I’ve accomplished
something – knowing that it can reach
someone, knowing that someone can
hear my story and it be similar to theirs
and they can recognise that change is
possible.’
How did you feel when you found
out the film had won?
‘When I got told I had won, I was going
through a difficult time. It was like a
‘As a judge for the festival this
year I will be looking for
authenticity, simple as that...’
silver lining. I thought, how wonderful,
someone’s thought that much of the
film to give it first place. It made what
was happening a little easier.’
What will you be looking for, as a
judge of this year’s film festival?
‘As a judge for the festival this year I will
be looking for authenticity, simple as
that. I don’t need to see loads of bells and
whistles and clever effects. I just want to
see someone telling their story, making it
real. When something is simple you get
less distracted and can pay attention to
the story you’re being told.’
What advice would you give to
someone who is thinking about
making a film for the festival?
‘You’ve got the chance of not only
changing your life, but someone else’s
too. Even if it’s one in a million, it’s
worth it. Seeing your video might be
that lightbulb moment they need.’
You can watch Kelly's Story on the
Recovery Street Film Festival YouTube
channel, and the submission window for
the 2018 Recovery Street Film Festival is
now open. Visit rsff.co.uk for more
information and to submit your film.
June 2018 | drinkanddrugsnews | 25