#Thoughts and Prayers Documentary

In an increasingly digital world, social media is changing the course of investigations and the way the public becomes aware of, comprehend and grieve acts of terrorism. Is it a tool to improve investigations and unite society, or does it merely spread the fear the perpetrators crave?

We’re a group of University of South Wales film students hoping to make a documentary that explores the way we utilise social media during, and in the wake of attacks. As young people very involved in the music scene, with family members that were directly involved and as users of social media who are often criticised by older generations, we wish to prove that social media isn’t just an obsession with posting selfies to feed narcissism, but a tool that saves lives and aids recovery in such dark times.  We also wish to pay tribute to the bravery of the City of Manchester that showed to fight terror with love.

#Thoughts and Prayers is a non-profit, student film created as part of our second-year portfolio. We plan to release the documentary via NOX Magazine alongside entering it into film festivals if the reception is a positive one.  Any prize money would be donated to the We Heart Manchester Emergency Fund.

We need some help covering the cost of taking our crew up to Manchester to film for two days in a fortnights time.  There, we'll be interviewing the people who opened their homes as safe spaces to people fleeing the Manchester Arena terror attack using the #RoomforManchester, some survivors themselves and (hopefully) the tattoo artists who helped raise thousands after founding the bee campaign.

 Any money kindly donated will help towards our skeleton crew's overnight stay and travel.  Thank you!