Animation Depicting Various Items in Excess, Highlighting Compulsive Hoarding, Makes Debut
Sparking Change with Of All The Things: An Animated Short Film Exploring Hoarding Disorder
Leicester's creative powerhouse, Kino Bino Studio, recently wrapped up production on their long-awaited animated short film, Of All The Things. This compelling piece, crafted over half a decade, premiered at the Phoenix Cinema during Hoarding Awareness Week this May.
Funding for Of All The Things came from various sources: the BFI Network, National Lottery, crowdfunding, and sponsorship. The film sheds light on the emotional struggles faced by individuals with hoarding disorder, focusing on a moving mother-daughter relationship. Director Steff Lee, who drew inspiration from her personal experiences, hopes the film can help erase the shame and stigma associated with hoarding.
In her own words, "From my own journey, I've seen how shame can be a barrier to accessing support. We hope our film can play a meaningful part in the wider, nationwide effort that embraces a more compassionate and holistic understanding of hoarding."
Producer Bella Tomlinson, known for her work on iconic shows like Bob the Builder and Pingu, sees the film's dual mission: not only to spread understanding of hoarding as a mental health issue, but also to offer opportunities for emerging female animators.
"One of the most rewarding parts of this project was giving new talent a chance to shine," she said. "For some of our team, this was their first ever film credit, and I'm proud we could help launch their animation careers."
Andrew Gregory, health editor at The Guardian, joined the project via his production banner Brungerley. Hoarding disorder affects millions worldwide, but it's rarely discussed and often deeply misunderstood. Gregory emphasizes the film's potential to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and resonate with audiences everywhere.
The premiere gathered the film crew alongside a diverse group of supporters, including hoarding organizations, individuals with lived experiences, housing associations, public service workers, educators, local filmmakers, and more.
Following the screening, a panel discussion highlighted the film's educational potential. Speakers from the hoarding support sector praised the film's emotional resonance and potential as a powerful training tool and conversation starter.
"A beautifully sensitive creation which highlights the complex issues hoarding brings up for people with hoarding behaviours and their loved ones. Of All the Things really touches on the fact that hoarding is so much more about the person and not the stuff,” stated Jo Cooke of Hoarding Disorders UK.
An audience member with lived experience remarked, "This film feels like someone finally gets it. It's a gentle, beautiful way to say, 'You're not alone.'"
Of All The Things faces head-on the misconception that hoarding can be "fixed" with a simple clean-up. Mandi Simms, Ambassador for Hoarding UK, points out, "You can't just take the stuff away, that's like telling someone with an alcohol addiction to stop drinking. The trauma behind the behaviour needs understanding."
The film has garnered endorsements from organizations such as Clouds End CIC, Holistic Hoarding, and APDO. With festival submissions underway, future screenings planned, and educational training materials in development, Of All The Things is poised to reach more people in need of understanding and support.
The film's success is thanks in part to generous support from organizations including BFI NETWORK, National Lottery, Holistic Hoarding, Accent Housing, WBR Group, DMU Engagement, The BICSc, Ford Fine Art, Ideal Services Group, Amplius, Cadent Gas, Northern Gas Networks, Jigsaw Homes, Peabody, and Orbit Group.
Tackling a Misunderstood Issue: The animated short film's mission is multifaceted:
- Promote Awareness: By shedding light on hoarding disorder, the film aims to dispel misinformation and foster a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges associated with the condition.
- Cultivate Empathy: Through the moving story of a mother-daughter relationship, the film encourages empathy and compassion towards individuals struggling with hoarding disorder.
- Challenge Stereotypes: The film seeks to challenge prevailing, often shallow stereotypes about hoarding, aiming instead for a more nuanced understanding.
- Saunter the Path to Dialogue: By providing an accessible and emotional take on hoarding disorder, the film hopes to spark meaningful conversations about the topic, encouraging support for those affected.
Fostering Change: Through its powerful storytelling, Of All The Things stands to reduce stigma, promote understanding, and engage communities in discussions about hoarding disorder.
Of All The Things seeks to promote dissemination of accurate information about hoarding disorder, utilizing the medium of science – animation – to foster a deeper understanding of the emotional struggles and intricacies connected to this condition. The film also aims to provoke discussion on hoarding as a health-and-wellness issue within the context of mental health.
In COO Bella Tomlinson's words, the film serves a dual purpose: fostering a more comprehensive understanding of hoarding disorder within society, and offering career opportunities to emerging female animators in the health-and-wellness field – particularly within the mental-health sector.
