Hoods Off

Hoods Off was created and filmed by Glasgow based choreographer Natasha Gilmore and the pupils from St Albert’s Primary School. The children voice their lived experiences of racism and islamophobia, describing moments in their lives where they have been judged for what they are, not who they are.

Shot entirely on iphones, Hoods Off plays with the children’s visibility and invisibility as well as the image and stigma attached to the groups of hooded pre-teens. The hooded figures can be stripped of their identity, with backs turned we can no longer judge them to be male /female, back /white, hijab/turban wearers. They are able to then present themselves to the audience and stand proudly in their specific identity and connections.

Hoods Off is funded by the Scottish Government’s Youth Arts Fund through Creative Scotland with support from Youth Music Initiative and Time to Shine. The Youth Arts Fund ensures creative opportunities for children and young people continue to exist across Scotland despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Creative Team

Director and Choreographer Natasha Gilmore with P6/7 pupils from St Albert’s Primary School

Producing Team Nicola Denman, Gillian Garrity, Belinda McElhinney

Composer Luke Sutherland

Music and Sound Designer Davey Anderson

Editor Natasha Gilmore, Monika Smekot

Performers P6/7 pupils St Albert’s Primary School

Previous Screenings

2024

Rethink Dance Festival

2022

Inspired Youth Dance Film Festival- Finalist; Cinedanza Festival; Edinburgh Short Film Festival; African Smartphone International Festival- Honourable Mention; SF3 Smartphone Film Festival

2021

Dance International Glasgow