Lancashire kids from Green Dog Academy celebrate big-screen premiere of their own films at Arc Cinema Preston

Children from across Lancashire stepped into the spotlight last weekend as they celebrated the premiere of their own films at the Arc Cinema in Preston.

The special event marked the culmination of months of learning through the Green Dog Academy (GDA), where children developed skills in acting, filmmaking, editing and storytelling before creating a series of original short films.

Held at The Hub at Walton Summit every Saturday, GDA is ran by the Green Dog Creative which welcomes children from across the county to its after-school drama classes, holiday clubs and Saturday school.

Green Dog Creative was founded by Preston-born Charlotte Trafford in 2024 with a mission to make creativity and the arts accessible to every child, regardless of their background, experience or ability.

The organisation focuses on helping young people build confidence and explore their creativity in a welcoming environment where every child can shine.

Charlotte said: "Above everything else, the most important thing for me is making sure our children enjoy themselves. I don't want to run a drama school where children are performing in things they don't enjoy. I want Green Dog Creative to be a place where every child can flourish and discover their passions.

"I am incredibly proud that we welcome children from all kinds of backgrounds and abilities. It can sometimes be difficult for parents to find opportunities in the arts that feel accessible, so I work hard to make sure every child can take part in a way that is inclusive and affordable."

To celebrate their achievements, the young filmmakers from GDA were treated to a Hollywood-style premiere experience.

Walking a red carpet into the cinema, they posed for photographs, took part in mock media interviews and watched their creations on the big screen alongside family and friends.

With around 170 people in attendance, the event showcased the creativity, confidence and talent of Lancashire's young people.

The audience enjoyed a range of original productions, including comedy, horror and murder mystery films, before the afternoon ended with a blooper reel that had the cinema laughing throughout.

Praising the impact the project has had on their child, one parent said: "My once shy little boy who was happy to stand at the back now comes home telling me he has auditioned for lead roles... his reading has improved, particularly his fluency and he's now keen to step forward to do all sorts of things."

Another said: "My children's fave day is the day they spend with Charlotte after school at Green Dog, they come out full of smiles and laughing telling me all the stories of all the fun they've had in every session, my children's confidence and independence have grown massively, couldn't recommend more!"

A third parent added: "My daughter can't wait for her drama class each week. She loves being a part of a production, dressing up and learning parts. When there was a chance to attend a summer camp she was thrilled. Her confidence and enthusiasm for drama has increased hugely."

To find out more about Green Dog Creative, visit their website where you can also find links to their Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts.