As part of the Let’s Talk Dementia: Fiction, Fact and Hope conference, the SPIN-D Network+ hosted a three-part Film Festival celebrating lived experiences of dementia through powerful storytelling, co-production, and creative practice. Held on 2nd and 3rd July 2025 at UCL East, London, the festival drew together carers, artists, researchers and community members to explore how dementia is experienced, supported, and expressed across cultures and contexts.
Curated to reflect SPIN-D’s commitment to collaboration and inclusion, each screening was followed by a panel discussion with filmmakers and contributors. Across all sessions, the theme of “fiction, fact and hope” came to life through testimonies, dialogue, and artistic expression.
Chaired by Dr Orii McDermott, Dr Zena Aldridge, and Dr Kate North, each session offered space for reflection and engagement.
Orii – Connecting Communities. Short films showing lived experiences of dementia and caregiving in South Asian and Caribbean communities.
“It was a privilege to experience the short films and talks by family carers with lived experience. While many highlighted the continuous challenges diverse community members may face when trying to arrange ‘culturally appropriate care’, I was also struck by each contributor’s resilience, dedication and love for their family members.”
Zena – Supporting a Relative with Dementia. Carers present their personal journeys in supporting relatives with dementia.
“I was fortunate to chair a Film Festival session at the recent SPIN-D event with a varied agenda of several short films that conveyed so much through the lenses of those with lived experience. The powerful content was a reminder of how, through the use of film as a medium, complex and emotive concepts, messages and experiences can be communicated effectively and succinctly leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. Moreover it gives those with lived experience a voice which can be cascaded widely without them having to repeat their experiences time after time in person hence reaching a wider audience than could be achieved in person. I would urge those who were unable to attend to take a look at the resources to be inspired and informed as were those in attendance on the day.”
Kate – Dementia and the Arts. Exploring the role of the arts in expressing and sharing dementia experiences.
“Many of the films showed how the arts offer people living with dementia positive and meaningful activities that support and enhance their quality of life. Loved ones of people living with dementia also benefit from these activities and for many they become vital aspects of their everyday activities. From signing, to reading and writing poetry through to dancing and much more. Arts can also offer us a way of understanding the impact of dementia and there was a great operatic example of this. These films are both informative and heartwarming.”
The full playlist of the films screened at the festival is now available to watch on YouTube: Watch the SPIN-D Film Festival Playlist.
The playlist also features recordings from our CLEG and PPIE members.
spindementianet.org 