Snowball

A CHILDHOOD IN CARE

Some stories were never meant to stay hidden.

An emotionally honest British film based on the lived experiences of David Jackson, exploring childhood in care, survival, resilience, identity and the long shadow difficult systems can leave behind.

THE STORY

Snowball tells the true story of David Jackson and his experiences growing up within the UK care system during the 1960s–80s.

The film explores abuse, neglect and institutional failure, but also survival, identity, resilience and the lasting impact childhood experiences can have long into adult life.

At its heart, Snowball is also about whose stories are heard, whose are overlooked, and what happens when lived experience is reduced to something easier to ignore.

David first told his story in his acclaimed 2018 memoir, Oi You F*cker: Snowball Meets Some Very Toxic People. Developed in collaboration with David, Snowball brings that lived experience to screen with David as both screenwriter and lead performer.

>> Discover the book: Oi You F*cker: Snowball Meets Some Very Toxic People

Telling a difficult story with care

Rather than sensationalising trauma, Snowball combines live action, illustration, sound design, music and visual metaphor to create a grounded and reflective way into an extremely difficult story.

Audience members have particularly highlighted the film’s illustration and animation, its emotional honesty and the calm but powerful way the creative approach helps them engage with and process difficult experiences.

Why Snowball matters

Although David’s story begins decades ago, the questions raised by Snowball remain highly relevant: what happens when a child speaks and isn’t heard? When trauma is treated as behaviour? When the systems designed to protect children fail to listen?

The film creates space for wider conversations around care experience, safeguarding, childhood trauma, belonging, professional responsibility and the long-term impact of what happens in childhood.

Snowball aims to encourage reflection, discussion and deeper understanding of experiences that are often difficult to speak about openly.

SEE THE FILM

Watch the Snowball trailer and find opportunities to see the film through selected screenings and events.

More than a screening

Snowball can be brought into organisations, professional settings and communities as the starting point for reflection, discussion and deeper understanding around care experience, safeguarding, trauma, resilience, identity and belonging.

Screenings can be accompanied by discussion with David and the MAD4 Films team, helping audiences explore both the lived experience at the heart of the film and the wider issues it raises.

For professional and organisational audiences, screenings can also support learning, challenge assumptions and open up conversations about practice, responsibility and how children and care-experienced people are heard.

Opportunities can include:

• Private, educational and community screenings
• Organisational learning events
• Q&As and panel discussions
• Media and podcast conversations
• Partnerships and social-impact collaborations

David Jackson’s lived experience is at the heart of Snowball. Born in Manchester in 1964, he spent much of his childhood within the local authority care system, experiences he later documented in his memoir Oi You F*cker: Snowball Meets Some Very Toxic People.

David went on to gain an Honours Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in International Business, and has worked across public service, criminal justice, charitable organisations and social justice campaigning. In Snowball, he brings his own story to screen as both screenwriter and lead performer.

Denis Collen is Executive Producer of Snowball, supporting the development of the project, partnerships, screenings and its wider social-impact ambitions.