Animation telling the story of the thousands of women from extremely poor backgrounds around the world who have to find work abroad to support their families. Employed as ‘maids’, and isolated in foreign households, many of these workers find themselves trapped in conditions of great hardship. Made in partnership with Justice 4 Domestic Workers, the film is based on real life stories of migrant domestic workers, using vivid watercolour animation to reveal some disturbing truths about modern slavery.

Directed by Leeds Animation Workshop

Watch They Call Us Maids: the Domestic Workers’ Story here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

To help our friends at Justice 4 Domestic Workers, and we started with the help of a small commission from Pavilion Leeds.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

People say they find it uplifting, the animation is rewarding to watch, and it raises awareness about an important issue.

They Call Us Maids: the Domestic Workers’ Story

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Many different designs, many drafts of the script, mainly in consultation with our partner organisations J4DW and Pavilion

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Very positive.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Mainly we want to raise awareness of the issue. But also we have still not covered the costs of making the film, and would love to make some sales!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Buyers distributors broadcasters sales agents etc but all welcome.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

To help people to understand the lives of migrant workers and hopefully to tackle their problems.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How could we improve the situation of women migrant workers?

Would you like to add anything else?

Please contact us if you would like to buy the film on dvd or for streaming, or rights, etc - info@leedsanimation.org.uk/www.leedsanimation.org.uk

And we have another 30+ films also available - many excerpts can be viewed on our website or on youtube.

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

more films... (we don't really like to call ourselves "creatives" btw: we are people!)

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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They Call Us Maids: the Domestic Workers’ Story

Length: 7 mins

Director: Leeds Animation Workshop

Producer: Leeds Animation Workshop

Writer: Terry Wragg

About the writer, director and producer:

Set up in the 1970s to produce and distribute animated films on social issues, Leeds Animation Workshop is an independent, not-for-profit co-operative run by women. It has made about 40 films, most of them still in distribution. Terry Wragg was a founder-member and has been a director of the Workshop for over three decades.

Artwork and Animation: Jo Dunn

Music: Phil Todd

Cast members (voice-overs):

.                 ‬‪Lolita Boddy‬
.                 ‬‪Marlo De Lara‬
.                 ‬‪Shamim Samad‬
.                 ‬‪Senait Solomon‬
Commissioned by Pavilion, Leeds

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Funders: Made with financial support from

Leeds Community Foundation,

Community First,

Leeds For Change,

Councillor Roger Harington, Leeds City Council

And crowdfunders through localgiving.com

Made in association with: J4DW - Justice 4 Domestic Workers, UK, and Pavilion Leeds

Release date: Nov 2015

Where can I watch it in the next month?

London Feminist Film Festival;

Norwich Radical Film Festival;

Cebu Film Festival, Philippines;

or buy it from us!