A documentary about Radically Inclusive Nightlife

Aim

A documentary exploring why nightlife matters, following a radically inclusive club scene led by people with learning disabilities.

Dancefloors are for everyone.

Through the lens of people with learning disabilities and autism, this film cuts to the heart of how important nightlife is to our lives.

We are fundraising to complete a feature documentary following five people over the course of a year, set within the world of accessible clubbing.

THE FILM

Accessible club spaces sit within the wider nightlife ecosystem. Rather than diluting club culture, they show in unfiltered terms the very reasons we need it so much. A place to build relationships, to escape, to feel safe.

Accessible clubbing is underground for the same reason ballrooms were underground in the late 80’s. A scene for people who haven’t always been given room elsewhere, where new forms of expression and community take shape - often undocumented and rarely seen.

IMPACT

Our intention is for the film to raise the profile and visibility of learning disability-led nightlife and community spaces at a time when many remain financially vulnerable and underrepresented. By documenting these spaces seriously and creatively, the project aims to support wider recognition of their social and cultural value, bringing new audiences, awareness and long-term financial stability to communities such as Bubble Club.

Most importantly, this film will be an officially documented archive of the radically inclusive club scene happening in London today - a record that tells the real stories of this community through the lens of the people who live it. A film the learning disability community can see themselves in - powerful, talented, expressive, and fully realised. Not as stereotypes, but as people at the centre of their own stories.

THE PEOPLE WE FOLLOW

The film follows five long standing characters in the accessible clubbing scene over a year, both on the dancefloor and into their wider lives:

Wayne is full of energy and everybody’s friend. Straight from his supermarket shift to the dancefloor, he’s always on a high – dancing, chatting or working out the best transport route home for anyone who asks.

Kirsty is a familiar face at the club, always somewhere between the dancefloor and the drama. As her Drag King alter ego, she uses the night to explore her evolving queer identity.

Lloydie brings edge and energy to the club. A regular performer with his crew, he’s loud, funny and whips up the crowd easily with his infamous rap battles.

Adam hosts the club with precision and sparkle. He’s a true professional, building a new magical narrative for the crowd to step into for each event.

Sukhraj quietly holds things together. Splitting her time between helping out and enjoying the night, she brings warmth, kindness and a more reflective side to it.

HOW THE FILM IS MADE

The film combines observational footage from the dancefloor, sit-down interviews, archival material, and stylised surrealist sequences.

The set pieces, developed with each participant, extend their worlds beyond the dancefloor. The structure is non-linear, shaped by emotional logic rather than chronology.

ACCESS

The film is made from within the world it documents.

The team contains two producers of Bubble Club, a 21-year running club night for adults with learning disabilities. This is not an external perspective, but one shaped through long-standing involvement and trust.

We are working with the extended community to co-create different elements of the film and ensure their stories are shaped by them. As well as production role opportunities, the soundtrack will predominantly consist of music produced by learning disabled artists and labels.

THE TEAM

Jack Barraclough — Director / DOP
 Filmmaker who has worked extensively with learning disabled communities.

Nathan Ess — Director / Producer
 Co-runs Bubble Club. Works across theatre, live experience and nightlife.

Celia Delaney — Producer / Research
Co-runs Bubble Club with long-standing relationships across the community.

Honor Richardson — Designer
Graphic designer for Bubble Club, also working across exhibitions, music and nightlife.

As the project develops, we will be expanding the team, including bringing on an experienced editor to help shape the film. 

This project is a collaboration between Bubble Club East and production company Muddled Marauders.

WHY THIS NEEDS TO BE MADE NOW

Across London and beyond, club culture is under pressure.
Venues are closing, spaces are disappearing, and what remains is becoming increasingly commercial.

There is growing attention around who nightlife is for, who gets to take up space, and who remains at its edges.

For people with learning disabilities, the ability to move freely and stay out late remains a radical act.

For two decades, Bubble Club has been building community and holding a version of nightlife rarely seen from the outside - but it is never more than six months away from having to close due to financial instability.

We believe this is a scene that needs to be recorded.

WHAT WE’RE RAISING FUNDS FOR

We have completed 2 months of initial filming to develop the project.

We are now raising funds to:

• Continue filming across the full year
• Develop and shoot set pieces with our characters and community
• Expand the team, including attaching an experienced editor to the project to help shape the film
• Build the soundtrack with collaborating LD artists
• Deliver a finished documentary ready for festival premiere

The project is already gaining traction, with support from Alphatheta, Mixcloud and London Museum.

AUDIENCE & WHERE IT WILL GO

This film is aimed at audiences across documentary, music culture, disability communities and contemporary social storytelling.

While rooted in the learning disability community, it speaks to themes of identity, nightlife and belonging across the board.

The project is being developed with a festival premiere in mind, followed by broadcast or platform release.

Alongside its screen life, the film has scope for impact-led screenings with nightlife organisations, cultural institutions and access-focused initiatives, raising the profile of learning disability nightlife spaces to help secure their future. 

SUPPORT THE FILM

This is a film made from within a community that has built its own space, often without visibility or support.

A film about what nightlife means to learning disabled communities, and the power of the scene they have built.

Your support will help us finish it.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 16th July 2026 at 2:08pm