They Call Us Maids: The Domestic Workers’ Story is a new animated film commissioned by Pavilion and produced by Leeds Animation Workshop, in collaboration with Justice for Domestic Workers. The film draws on the experiences of migrant domestic workers living in Leeds and across the UK who work in private homes, often for long hours and low pay. The film will launch as part of the Yorkshire Short Film Competition (Leeds International Film Festival) at Hyde Park Picture House.
Justice for Domestic Workers is a self-help grassroots organisation, made up of multi-national migrant domestic workers. The group campaigns for domestic workers’ rights to be recognised by UK employment law, ‘Together we search for ways to overcome our isolation and vulnerability and demand respect as workers, as contributors to the British economy and society, and as human beings.’
Leeds Animation Workshop is a non-profit cooperative company, which produces and distributes animated films and films that address social and educational issues. The Workshop specialises in making complex or sensitive issues more accessible to audiences, and at times offering an alternative point of view.
The film has been funded by Community First, Leeds Innovation Fund, Leeds for Change and MICE Money. It has produced with support from The Open University and The Showroom, London.