Be-Longing

A young boy’s journey through care, trust and belonging.

Be-Longing is an award-winning short film following Khoji, a 9-year-old boy in foster care, as he struggles between loyalty to his birth parents and accepting the trust, kindness and security of his foster family.

THE STORY

Khoji enters care carrying the effects of a chaotic and traumatic home life with him. Although his foster family offers stability, kindness and security, learning to accept that care is far from straightforward.

Be-Longing explores the emotional conflict that follows – anger, mistrust, loyalty, betrayal, hope and the struggle to believe that adults can be safe and dependable.

As the story develops, Khoji begins a difficult journey towards rebuilding trust, believing in himself and understanding that accepting love and security does not mean abandoning where he came from.

At its heart, Be-Longing is about the complicated reality of belonging for a child in care – and the impact adults can have on whether that child feels heard, valued and safe.

Through the child’s eyes

Be-Longing places the child’s experience at the centre of the story, showing how care, separation, loyalty and trust can feel from the perspective of a young person living through them.

The film invites audiences to look beyond behaviour and consider what may be happening underneath it – the fear, grief, confusion and divided loyalties that can shape how a child responds to the adults around them.

By putting Khoji’s voice and experience first, Be-Longing encourages professionals, carers and wider audiences to reflect on how decisions are made around children in care, and how important it is that young people feel heard, understood and involved.

Why be-Longing matters

For children in care, safety and stability do not automatically undo what came before. Trauma, loss, loyalty and mistrust can continue to shape how a young person responds to carers, professionals and the decisions being made around them.

Be-Longing creates space to reflect on those experiences from the child’s perspective and to consider how adults can better listen, understand behaviour and support young people to feel safe, valued and able to belong.

The film is designed to open up discussion around fostering, safeguarding, care experience, identity and the wellbeing of children and young people – both as a standalone film and as a tool for learning and conversation.

SEE THE FILM

Watch the Be-Longing trailer and find upcoming opportunities to see the film through screenings, online events and facilitated sessions.

More than a screening

Be-Longing can be used as a starting point for reflection, learning and discussion around foster care, adoption, trauma, identity, trust and belonging.

MAD4 Films can tailor screenings to different audiences and settings, combining the film with Q&As, facilitated discussion or specialist guest contributions to help participants explore the child’s perspective, share experience and consider practical ways to improve support for children in care.

Screening and learning opportunities

Opportunities can include:

• Private and organisational screenings
• Training and professional learning sessions
• Foster care and adoption events
• Q&As and facilitated discussions
• Sessions with specialist guest speakers
• Community and educational screenings
• Conferences, partnerships and sector events

Who is Be-Longing for?

Particularly relevant for:

Foster and adoptive parents · Kinship carers · Care-experienced people · Fostering agencies and managers · Social workers · Teachers and schools · Support workers · Children’s services · Safeguarding professionals · Local authorities · Charities and care organisations · Campaigners and policymakers · Filmmakers and creatives exploring care-related storytelling

>> Enquire about bringing Be-Longing to your audience

Mike McKenzie is an award-winning filmmaker, musician and foster carer with over 15 years of experience.

Alongside his wife Carol, Mike has fostered many children, and that first-hand experience informs the way Be-Longing explores trauma, trust, identity and belonging from the child’s perspective.

Denis Collen supports the development, partnerships and wider social-impact ambitions of MAD4 Films, helping connect Be-Longing with organisations, audiences and opportunities for collaboration.