WHITE NANNY BLACK CHILD
click on poster for trailer
A group of adults find solace in sharing their experiences of growing up as children of Black Nigerian immigrants who were fostered by white British families.
Between 1955 and 1995, over 70,000 West African children were fostered by white Britons, in a practice known as ‘farming’. Many individuals then had to live, often in silence, with the long-lasting impact of this controversial official policy. Nine of those raised this way were invited to a workshop retreat, under professional guidance, to discuss their experiences. Each take turns delving into their past, revealing the confusion and trauma of dealing with such change at a young age. For many, this marks the first time they have had the opportunity to connect with people who have shared a similar childhood. White Nanny Black Child presents a personal, moving and sometimes unsettling meditation on identity, belonging and the nature of family.
PREMIERED AT SHEFFIELD DOC FEST 2023, runner up for the Audience Award
Winner Audience Award British Urban Film Festival
Winner Audience Award Folkestone Documentary Festival
Winner Best International Documentary and Special Jury Prize, AFRIFF, Lagos
Winner ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY (HISTORY) 2024
Winner BAFTA (SPECIALIST FACTUAL) 2024
Nominee BROADCAST Award 2025
A Doc Hearts and Tigerlily co production
For Channel 5 and Doc Society
Director Andy Mundy-Castle
80 mins
2023
“In this powerful film, nine adults fostered as babies come together at a retreat, their discussions of racism, identity, family and love coalescing into a moving piece of social history”
Sunday Times
“Andy Mundy-Castle’s affecting documentary is a striking left-turn for Channel 5”
The Telegraph
“Fascinating …and deeply moving film”
The Sun
“Moving documentary”
Daily Mail
“an eye opening and honest look at a controversial policy that is rarely discussed these days”
Weekend Mail
“Moving and unsettling film”
The Observer