Following the trend of the past 10 years, the majority of Odd Eyes Theatre programme continues to focus on young people across complex and intersecting circumstances (72%).
In partnership with ELATT and with the Civil Aviation Authority and support from Arts Council England, we developed Reach for the Sky, using creative methodologies to support learning about the aviation industry, local aviation history in East London and autobiographical writing, fostering genuine representation of neurodiverse young people. The project’s legacy is the short film 900 Feet Up. The short first screened at Richmix to 200 audience members, including 100 students from ELATT, their friends, families and stakeholders. The Q&A with the young people involved in the making of the film was a celebration of their achievements. Nominated in the Best Film category at several festivals around the world, the short is due to screen at the Into Films Awards festival of young people achievements at the ODEON cinema in Leister Square London.
Online and in -person screenings, as well as their official accreditation on industry recognised platforms, perpetuate the legacy of the project through career progression opportunities. They also allow the young people to continue to celebrate their achievements, offering a confidence
boost and a reminder for their capabilities and value beyond the end of the project. The programme will also tour schools and colleges to share Odd Eyes Theatre’s methodology and continue championing genuine representation.
The collaboration with ELATT continued with the Creative Debate project with young refugees and asylum seekers, culminating in A Message to Myself, a reflection on participants’ personal
journeys since arriving in London, celebrating their resilience and growth. Participants also took the lead in filming parts of their own work.
The programme with elderly residents continues to grow. New Shoes, the intergenerational project run in partnership with the Stuart Low Trust, Evergreen Day Centre and the
Kevin Richard Foundation reached 45 Islington residents aged 70 and over as well as 15 young people 18-35 affected by social isolation, anxiety and suicide risk.
The programme culminated in shared at public events (Cally Festival) and at Evergreen Centre. On the success of this pilot, the contract was renewed for a second year; the second edition, called Inside Out, began in February 2026.
On The Line short film continued its successful festival run, raising visibility for the young people represented through the film and increasing the profile of Odd Eyes Theatre, including at a significant screening event at the Italian Cultural Institute followed by a Q&A on the theme of genuine representation in media. The film won awards for Best Editing, Best Director and Best Film Jury Choice Award, and received nominations for the UK Cinematography Awards and UK Film Festival Awards.
Odd Eyes’ placement programme created 19 opportunities for young people facing barriers to career progression , offering 22 days of supported training in theatre, media, production and leadership. In collaboration with the specialist employment agency London Ability and ELATT, 13 of these opportunities were specifically designated for d/Disabled young people
aged 18 to 25.
Practice continued through private consultations and workshops for the NHS, and the first phase of a new project with young orphans in Kenya, beginning in January with a visit to the Mission of Madre Ippolita in Ndithini to gather insight into potential and film material for a short documentary about the children.