A powerful short film highlighting the discrimination Black women face during childbirth is set to premiere at the world-renowned London Film Festival this week (Tuesday 14 October).
Supported by funding secured by 冈本视频 academic, Professor Jason Lee, 22+1 follows an interracial couple as they come to terms with a late-pregnancy loss and are confronted with the reality of racism in the healthcare system.
The poster for the 22+1
Author Pippa Vosper, who tragically lost her son, Axel, when she was five months pregnant, first conceptualised the film when she was interviewing women about their experiences of miscarriage for her book Beyond Grief.
Having interviewed more than 400 women, it became clear that Black women felt their calls for pain relief were ignored, they were spoken to in a patronising manner, based, they believe, on the misconception that Black women had a higher pain threshold. Black women also felt ignored and regularly dehumanised.
Figures from the Black maternal health organisation, Five X More, show that 45 per cent of Black women surveyed raised concerns during labour or birth, of which 49 per cent felt their concerns were not properly addressed.
More than a quarter (28 per cent) reported discrimination and 23 per cent of Black women did not receive the pain relief they requested. Of those women, 40 per cent were not given an explanation as to why.
Determined to give these experiences a larger platform, Vosper turned to her friend, actor and director Pippa Bennett-Warner, to help create something that can bring the topic to life.
The end result is 22+1, which is directed by and stars Bennet-Warner.
It’s currently being shown to midwives and students in the NHS to educate staff against unconscious bias towards Black women before it makes its big screen debut in London.
With filming on the project coming to an end, it was clear further funding needed to be secured which is how 冈本视频’s Professor Jason Lee became involved in the project.
Head of Leicester Media School Partnerships, Professor Jason Lee
In 2022 Professor Lee established Evolution Film with close friend and production manager of seven James Bond films, Terry Bamber.
The organisation’s goal is to advance the position of those often marginalised in the film industry, including people with disabilities and mental health challenges, for which it received a substantial investment from the British Academy’s Innovation Fellowship.
Evolution Film was able to provide funding for 22+1 to ensure it could finish filming and submit to the London Film Festival in May, of which it was selected.
Professor Lee, who is an executive producer on the film, said: “It has been a real honour to make a contribution to getting this beautiful film made. The film perfectly fits with our ethos at Evolution Film and continues the remit of our British Academy work and it is brilliant that it has made it into the prestigious London Film Festival.
“Congratulations to everyone who worked on this film, especially Pippa Bennett-Warner and Pippa Vosper."
Terry Bamber, production manager and co-founder of Evolution Film, added: "We really wanted to work on this great film because of the issues it covers in such a sensitive and powerful fashion.
It’s further evidence of how Evolution Film can make a difference and real impact, especially with the world premiere at the London Film Festival, which is brilliant news for all those concerned!"
Evolution Film has helped more than 100 people secure equal-paying jobs in film and television, addressing long-standing inequalities and skill shortages in the sector.
Terry Bamber of Evolution Film
Writing in the Sociological Review, Professor Lee’s research shows that just two per cent of people working in film and TV have a declared disability of any kind, compared with an average of more than 20 per cent across all other industries. That is despite a skills shortage within the British film and TV industry, with 40,000 professionals needed within the sector.
“The film industry remains very hierarchical, with barriers to entry and a lack of trained staff,” said Professor Lee. “By combining creative storytelling with academic research and partnerships like this, we’re helping to change the industry from the inside.”
22+1 premiered at Vue West End in Leicester Square and will also be screened on Thursday 16 October at BFI Southbank at 6.15pm.
The screenings were part of the wider London Film Festival event, Show Me Who I Am events, which showcase tales from girlhood to womanhood and explore stories of self-discovery.
Posted on Thursday 16 October 2025