Channel 4 commissions War Child from Lightbox

19 October 2016

Channel 4 has commissioned Lightbox, the company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Searching for Sugar Man) and Emmy Award-winning Jonathan Chinn (American High, 30 Days), to produce a major documentary following the stories of four child refugees as they attempt to make their way from their war-torn homes in the Middle East and Afghanistan to safety in Europe. The film is directed by Jamie Roberts (The Jihadis Next Door, Angry White and Proud).

FremantleMedia will introduce the extraordinary and powerful documentary to buyers at MIPCOM 2016.

War Child (working title) is told from the point of view of the children, all of whom speak English, as they embark on their epic and dangerous journeys across Europe.

The children's stories begin in a refugee camp in Northern Greece, where, along with thousands of others they are prevented from travelling further into Europe by border closures, forcing them to make almost impossible choices. War Child follows the children, some of whom are unaccompanied by parents, as they travel surreptitiously across borders and through hostile countries, hiding from the military and police, travelling often by foot and at night, or in vehicles and freight trains - and all the while forced to deal with people smugglers trying to extort more money from them before helping them on their journey.

Executive Producer Simon Chinn said: "In telling this story from the point of view of a group of children, War Child takes a bold and distinctive approach to this important subject. Some of the children we are following have left their war torn homes without their parents and it's their very vulnerability which makes this such an emotional and dramatic film. Seeing the refugee crisis from their perspective really brings it home in the most immediate and powerful way."

Angela Neillis, Director, Acquisitions & Development, Non-Scripted, FremantleMedia International, added: "Lightbox has captured a raw, emotional and powerful portrayal of the current refugee situation. The world is facing a huge crisis and through War Child, we can help spread a very important message to viewers around the world."

War Child is directed by Jamie Roberts. Executive Producers for Lightbox are Katie Buchanan (The Romanians are Coming), Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn. It was commissioned by Channel 4 Deputy Head of Factual Amy Flanagan and Siobhan Sinnerton, Commissioning Editor, News and Current Affairs.