YLF and Films For All - 'Ignite Your Potential' screening

Hello everyone, I am Khadacia Smith, Education and Youth Business Administration Apprentice at the GLA. The following blog is an interview with Dominique Francis, who is a young singer and performer.

Dominique has recently performed at the 'Ignite Your Potential’ film screening, which was commissioned by the Young Londoners Fund (YLF), produced by Films for All and made by young YLF filmmakers.

The celebration took place at Rich Mix in Shoreditch, East London, on Thursday 26 November 2021. This powerful documentary included 43 young Londoners from five different YLF projects who told their stories and shared the impact that youth activities have had on their lives. This is a film truly inspired by young people and about young people.

The night was hosted by peer outreach workers from the GLA and included two special performances by Dominique and Lilima, who are part of the ‘New Creatives’ YLF project at Rich Mix.

The line-up also included singers live poetry and an open panel discussion involving special guest Deputy Mayor, Joanne McCartney, to continue the conversation on why youth activities help improve young people’s lives.

Here is more from Dominique to share her experience of the special night.

Khadacia: Were there any standout moments?

Dominique: I really enjoyed the running order of the event, it was so inspirational to see young performers myself included and poetry, it all mixed in well. I also enjoyed hearing the individual stories from the young people in the film and the panel discussion about the journey it took to create such an amazing film.

Khadacia: How did it feel to perform in front of 150 people?

Dominque: This was my second live performance, so I felt a bit more confident and comfortable, but I was still as bit anxious and very nervous. My backing track did not load so that also added to my nerves. When I perform, I usually block the audience out and get into my zone thankfully this worked, once the performance started, I had to keep reminding myself where I was.

Khadacia: What advice would you give to another young person performing for the first time at an event?

Dominique: Do all the necessary preparation, attend all rehearsals and work on your projection and stage presence in general. Make the song your own and connect with it, this helps better to connect with the audience.

Khadacia: What was it like to perform with Richmix?

Dominique: Being a part of the New Creatives Programme, I’ve had two modules before this and my Ignite your potential performance was in preparation for another big performance in December - prior to this I had never performed on my own. Seeing all the progress I’ve made since joining the New Creatives Programme has furthered my confidence, I’ve felt myself grow and feel ready to put myself out there. It felt great to perform on the Rich Mix stage and feel myself develop with each performance.

Khadacia: What did you take away from the film ‘Ignite your Potential ‘?

Dominique: The film was great as a creative myself it was inspiring to see young people with disabilities not allowing their personal challenges to get in the way and still have such an active role in creating such a great film. I also enjoyed hearing Isabella’s story from Young Urban Arts Foundation, hearing that her parents were not always 100% supportive but she still followed her dreams, which was nice to see. I really enjoyed the whole experience; I am happy I was able to be a part of this event.

As an apprentice for the GLA, the ignite your potential screening was phenomenal and not only because of the amazing snacks! I feel this event was one of my highlights of 2021, it was very informative with great atmosphere and highlighted that when young people come together greatness can be achieved.

We will have more exciting events coming up in the new year, in the meantime please watch the film we hope it inspires you to ignite your potential.