UNDEREXPOSED ARTS Launch Poignant Cinema Campaign 'The Next Gen'

UNDEREXPOSED ARTS have partnered with neverland to create a new cinema campaign which launches today alongside the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Founded in 2008 by actor Fraser James and award-winning visual artist Franklyn Rodgers, UNDERXPOSED ARTS is dedicated to promoting positive representation of Black British and Dual Heritage African/Caribbean people. 

Building on their 'The Next Gen' campaign, which launched across high-profile OOH sites this Summer, the new 30” film combines Franklyn's portrait photography beautifully animated over audio of the Maya Angelou quote 'I come as one, but stand as ten thousand'. The voices heard include Nicholas Pinnock, Golda Rosheuvel and Harry Pinero who’s portraits feature in the film and the wider ‘The Next Gen’ campaign.

The film looks to show young Black British and Dual Heritage African/Caribbeans that although they stand as one and there is strength in that, they can also be proud to stand on the shoulders of and in the footsteps of the many pioneers who've laid the foundations for them to live their full potential.

The 30” spot, which was created by a collaboration between UNDEREXPOSED ARTS, neverland, Factory and nineteentwenty, will be running on over 300 of Pearl & Dean’s cinema screens for the next month, after premiering in the latest Marvel release Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. 

Pearl & Dean, who donated the prominent media space to UNDEREXPOSED ARTS, will also run the ad in a specially created mid-credits break within selected showings of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Fraser James, founder of UNDEREXPOSED ARTS, said, “Our new collection of portraits, The Next Gen, stands on the shoulders of The Peckham Portraits and embraces its iconic legacy and I believe will continue to inspire and support our young adults in walking tall into their future”.

Franklyn Rodgers, founder of UNDEREXPOSED ARTS, said, “One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is themselves. Not only through the equity in the sharing of your truth, but moreover in the support and discovery of their own.

At UNDEREXPOSED ARTS, we echo this recognition by empowering transportation to transformation through to transcendence, a journey that speaks to the autonomy of the individual in connecting to a wider social inclusion”.

Rich Kennedy, head of design of neverland said, “It’s such an honour to take UNDEREXPOSED ARTS work and create something so powerful for the big screen.”

Ross Culligan, senior producer at nineteentwenty said, ”Having previously worked with the creative team at neverland we were thrilled to be approached for this project. Fraser, Franklyn and the wider UNDERXPOSED ARTS team have been a joy to work with and their passion for the their platform motivated the team to deliver work we are all truly proud of.”

James Utting, sound designer at Factory said, “It was a real pleasure to be part of this amazing project, working with such an abundance of talent. The elite detail and intricate post work from nineteentwenty brought forward from the great direction from the teams at neverland and UNDEREXPOSED ARTS gave us a film that really leant itself to powerful and emotive sound design. A real treat for the big screen and an honour to be part of promoting such an important message.”

Clare Turner, sales director at Pearl & Dean Cinemas, said, “We are proud to promote UNDEREXPOSED ARTS’ ‘The Next Gen’ portraits before Black Panther Wakanda Forever. We know how important representation is and we hope our audiences are inspired by these powerful portraits as much as we are.”