Creative short film depicts women campaigners and their struggles for equality

An influential award has been won by a Scottish women+ charity for a film it made depicting the work and history of the Scottish Co-operative Women’s Guild.

Renfrew-based Kairos Women+ (pictured above) beat over 500 charity films competing from all over the UK to scoop the Bronze gong in the People’s Choice Awards at the prestigious Charity Film Award red-carpet ceremony at the Odeon Leicester Square last night (20 March).

The two-minute stop animation short celebrates the legacy of women involved in the Scottish Co-operative Women’s Guild, linking the struggles of the past with those of the present.

It features the stories of activists, such as Molly Mercer, and depicts a radical history of ordinary people fighting for advancement, a struggle which remains relevant today.

The group created its short film for Paisley Museum, where it will now be featured as part of its refurbishment.

Annie Tothill of Kairos Women+ said: “We’re so chuffed to have won this award. Our dedicated team of volunteers developed research and storytelling skills, uncovering the story of Molly Mercer and the Scottish Cooperative Women's Guild, and using their creativity to co-produce a stop-motion animation for Paisley Museum. 

“As it says in our film, Molly Mercer joined the Scottish Co-operative Women’s Guild and fought for better working conditions, education, housing rights and votes for women.

“Her story teaches us that when you stand up for what you believe in, you can make a difference. She encourages us to never stop fighting for equality for all women+.”

It was made with the assistance of voluntary sector creatives, the media co-op, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

Vilte Vaitkute of media co-op said: “Of all the awards, the People’s Choice Award means most to us. A huge thank you to everyone who voted for our film. We were blown away by the creativity of the Kairos Women+ volunteers who co-produced the animation.

“Their dedication and determination is outstanding. The story of co-operator and suffragette Molly Mercer is entirely relevant to audiences today.

“The Kairos group put it best in the script of their animation: ‘what we’ve learned from history is that when we work together, we can make a difference’.”

Paul Cameron, digital manager at Paisley Museum, said the making of the film is testament to the commitment of co-production and inclusivity, adding: “We’re delighted that the wider public voted to endorse that. I’m grateful to all of the OneRen team who were involved and, of course, chuffed for media co-op and the outstanding volunteers and staff at Kairos Women+.”