ABOUT US

Tell stories, Make connections, Build movements

We tell stories, mainly in film, showing everyday people working together to improve their communities. We work with those communities to build alliances and raise funds through events that we create together around their stories. Why do we do this?

Conventional politics are broken and dysfunctional, serving the few not the many. Democracy in the form of elections has become a dangerous joke. And it's not funny.

The process of voting for our leaders is adversarial. It polarises and alienates our societies. It drives us apart. Doing politics this way means taking sides then standing aside. We're shut out from decisions that affect our lives. "Hands off! You're not up to this!" politicians tell us - once they have our votes.

People are naturally good at this stuff, given the chance, the conditions and the practice. People from any background can do it. People from any country. People from any culture. We know, because we've seen them do it. We've even filmed them doing it.

Politics can be inclusive. It can be constructive and inspiring. It can even be fun.

True democracy means government by the people. And we mean really by the people. It works best when it's hands-on not hands-off.

That's why we're called All Hands On.

We're mostly focused on other people's stories. We're mostly interested in your story. But if you really want to know our story, check out this short video.

  • We work with you to co-create powerful stories and calls to action, based mainly on filmmaking.

  • Our events showcase your story and give you a platform for alliance building.

  • We structure these events to raise funds for your community.

  • We collaborate with you to shape the event content of your events.

  • We pay protagonists from your community (from your film) to take part in the events.

  • We work with appropriate partner organisations to present your story to a wider audience.

  • We operate with full financial transparency.

We aim to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities. We aim to facilitate cross-movement alliances. We aim to promote progressive social and political change. Our model to achieve these aims is built around events and partnerships.
There is more detail on our events page, but these are the principles:

  • Making Peace With Politics

    The principles of better politics and better democracy are also the principles of peacemaking: you look for common ground, you listen deeply to "the other", you speak with respect (even when it hurts,) and you work through differences.

    In fact, these are among the keys to any successful relationship. What works in a loving partnership can also work at scale in geopolitics and in conflict zones - really.

    Most critical is to make peace with ourselves as a base from which to make peace with others.

    This is a practical necessity.

  • Not for profit

    All Hands On is a not-for-profit company registered in Scotland. We're a company limited by guarantee with an asset lock written into our constitution. This means that, by law, we only spend money on making films, supporting our partners, and operating the company. We have no shareholders.

  • About our privilege

    The core All Hands On team are all white men from the Global North. We can’t escape those facts and our associated privilege.

    Our privilege doesn't give us story telling rights. We have no place to speak or create media for those who endure the greatest harm of our modern, destructive way of life. We can channel our work and resources so that frontline communities and grassroots organisers can develop their own narratives and their own platforms for communication.

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Patrick Chalmers

Co-Founder & Director/Producer

Text journalism threads through my 35 years of media making, from print to digital media; including 11 years on staff at Reuters.

That arc of work took me from cosy insider to today's root-and-branch critic of conventional media and electoral politics.

All Hands On is an ongoing effort to walk that critic's talk by making and curating films about change for the better. It will always be a flawed work in progress.

Phil Adams

Co-Founder & Director/Producer

I’ve worked in advertising, digital marketing, social media, and brand consulting for over 30 years.
I work with ideas, messages, frames, and stories.
I’m a trustee on the board of Scottish Documentary Institute.
I’m past Chair of Manipulate Arts (puppetry, animation, visual theatre).

Clément Guerra

Film Director & Event Producer

My passion is finding innovative ways to facilitate collaboration between groups and movements that too often work in silos. I use technology, storytelling, and media as powerful organising tools.

My background is in community-based strategy, organisational development, digital marketing and film making.

My firm belief is that those most affected by issues are the best architects for identifying and implementing solutions for their communities.