Project Literacy - First Words [2016]
‘First Words’ brings to life the struggles of adults learning to read and write for the first time, and shows the transformative effect improved literacy can have on their lives. “Human” by Rag ‘n’ Bone Man adds poignancy to the story with powerful lyrics that are almost tailor-made to acknowledge the stigma faced by illiterate adults. The film premiered at the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas and will run as 30”, 60” and 90” versions across the US and UK.
We created an interactive web page to host the stories within the film, and showcase interviews with the cast about the barriers they faced to becoming literate, how they overcame them and how their lives have been transformed now they’re literate.
Check out the site here.
The Cast
Everyone featured in the campaign is currently in the process of learning to read and write for the first time. We see people like Donna learning to read so that she isn’t scared to shop in the supermarket for her daughter with a peanut allergy, and Andre learning to read because he wants to have the confidence to read with his granddaughter.
