Celebrating a Decade of Stories: The 10th Recovery Street Film Festival
This year marks a huge milestone for the Recovery Street Film Festival, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with an inspiring award ceremony held on September 27, 2024, at Sheffield’s Showroom Cinema. For a decade, the festival has invited amateur filmmakers with lived experience of alcohol and other drug use to share their powerful stories of hope, healing, and resilience, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into their journeys.
The festival continues to challenge stigma, foster understanding, and celebrate the creativity and courage of its filmmakers. At this year’s event, three outstanding films were recognised and awarded by the festival’s judging panel:
The Winners: Stories That Moved Us
1st Place went to “Never Underestimate a Woman in Recovery” by the Sheffield Women’s Network (SWIPE). This moving film takes viewers on a woman’s deeply personal journey through addiction, highlighting the emotional weight of isolation, stigma, and entrapment. What makes the film even more special is that it’s based on a heartfelt poem by Ruth, one of SWIPE’s members. As the woman’s story unfolds, we see how her life changes after connecting with other women in recovery. The strength found in shared experiences is palpable, and it was a particularly emotional moment when Tracey Ford and the other women involved in the project took the stage to accept their award.
2nd Place went to “Mamba Attack” by Michael Kennedy. Michael’s film, which he describes as a reflection of his personal battle with Mamba addiction, took us on a raw and honest journey from feeling alone and disconnected to finding hope and purpose through music. Michael shared how writing the lyrics featured in the film helped him start his recovery process. Today, he’s found recovery, has reconnected with his family, and built strong friendships.
3rd Place went to “Hendrick’s Story” by Hendrick de Vries, a Peer Mentor at Turning Point. Hendrick’s film offered a candid reflection on his seven-year recovery journey.
A Celebration of Community and Creativity
The energy at the event was electric, especially when last year’s winners, The Detox Factor, took the stage for a powerful performance that had the audience on their feet. The Detox Factor, known for celebrating the community they've built through recovery, once again reminded us how art and performance can be vital tools in the healing process.
The festival was further elevated by the presence of Dr. David Patton, Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Derby, who joined the stage to present this year’s awards. His support of the festival highlights the importance of bringing academic and real-world perspectives together to address the complex issues surrounding addiction.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
As the Recovery Street Film Festival enters its 11th year, it has cemented itself as more than just a showcase for filmmakers—it has become a vital platform for changing the narrative around addiction and recovery. The festival’s films have been viewed by over a million people, sparking important conversations and helping to break down the barriers faced by those seeking support.
The films don’t shy away from the harsh realities of addiction. They offer an unfiltered look at the stigma and discrimination that often follow people with lived experience, and they explore the profound pain of loss and the sheer determination required to reach out for support. But they also highlight the power of community and the strength that people in recovery gain from those who support them. These films stand as a testament to courage, transformation, and hope.
Maddie Kitchen of Sobriety Films UK summed up the festival’s impact perfectly:
“Beyond breaking down stigma, the Recovery Street Film Festival gives a voice to an underrepresented group in addiction recovery. Personally, I’ve experienced the healing power of creativity through film in my own recovery journey, and witnessing the festival’s impact on others has been truly life-affirming.”
Get Involved: Watch, Share, and Host Your Own Screening
If you’re curious about this year’s films, you can view the full 2024 shortlist here. For regular updates on the film festival, you can also follow on Instagram and Facebook.
Want to take it a step further? You can host your own screening of the films in your community. This is a fantastic way to start conversations, raise awareness, and create spaces for understanding and support. By sharing these personal stories, you’re helping to dismantle the stigma that so often surrounds addiction and providing hope to those who need it most. Head to the 'Host a Screening' section on our website for all the information and resources you’ll need.
What’s Next?
As we look ahead to the 2025 festival, we can’t wait to see more incredible stories of recovery shared on the big screen. The Recovery Street Film Festival is proof that storytelling through film can be a powerful force for change, and we’re excited to continue this journey together.