A new interactive film exploring issues around youth violence and school exclusions has launched this month. Titled XCLUDED, this short film was co-produced with over 50 young people from Tottenham (Haringey) and developed using Near-Life’s interactive video authoring tool: allowing viewers to step into the shoes of adolescents facing difficult decisions in school, often opening pathways to criminality.
The project was created in collaboration with the London Peer Action Collective (The Peace Alliance and The McPin Foundation). The idea and concept for the film was initiated by The PAC Change Makers and Film Producer Anton Forde, who produced the project alongside Caviar Productions, with Debbie Ama Obeng acting as the projects’ Social Action Lead.
Directed by SMILA1TAKE, XCLUDED is not a traditional film — its interactive format invites users to make decisions on behalf of the main character, reflecting the complex, high-stakes choices many young people face in real life. Built using Near-Life’s immersive tech, the experience highlights how these choices can dramatically affect outcomes, offering a unique perspective for educators, professionals, statutory organisations and the wider community.
Andrew Fuller, a trauma-informed trainer who works in schools across the UK, spoke at the launch event in Tottenham, he said:
“We can’t penalise the outburst until we understand the inburst.”
This message aligns with one of the key findings from the research underpinning the film: that schools must take a more holistic, compassionate approach to behaviour: recognising the impact of mental health challenges, family pressures, and bullying. The film’s storyline was informed by real stories collected by young peer researchers, turning lived experience into an impactful digital learning tool.
The London PAC Social Action Team believes it’s time research is communicated in a way that speaks the language of young people, engaging them in understanding and addressing critical issues that affect their lives.
Producer Anton Forde added:
“Engaging young people in the creative process and making sure the project is grounded in their own lived experience, means that we have been able to make something that is genuine and authentic.”
Young people involved in the film spoke passionately about how the process gave them a sense of purpose and connection to their community. One said the work “made them feel heard.”
The use of Near-Life’s interactive platform played a crucial role in bringing the film to life. By allowing viewers to engage directly with the consequences of different decisions, Xcluded becomes more than a story: it’s a tool for empathy, insight and real change.
Workshops and screenings of XCLUDED are in the process of being delivered in schools, colleges, and youth settings, helping to spark critical conversations around exclusion, support, and opportunity.
To book a workshop, please contact Ama at: projects@thepeacealliance.org.uk