Film intern urges others to follow dream careers

Zane Alsaroori, who grew up on a council estate and lost his brother to knife crime, is now a film and television intern

A film and television intern who grew up on a council estate and lost his brother to knife crime has said he wants to inspire people from similar backgrounds to "fight for their dreams".

Zane Alsaroori, 22, grew up on the Wensley estate in Page Hall, Sheffield, and started working with Yorkshire-based film production company Warp Films earlier this year.

The company, which made hit TV show Adolescence and thriller series Reunion, has launched a new paid internship scheme for people from South Yorkshire, which the firm said would "break down barriers" to getting into the industry.

Mr Alsaroori said: "Coming from nothing sometimes gives you the biggest push to get everything you want."

He said his interest in working in the television and film industry began when he watched EastEnders with his mother as a child, but he added that most of his teachers had "laughed at the idea".

"A big cloud is over people like me from a council estate and that forces other people not to believe in you," he said.

"It's nobody's fault, people who doubted me in the past had similar dreams deep inside, and sometimes they're saying it out of love and concern for your future."

Zane's brother, Sami Alsaroori, was killed in a knife attack in 2017

Zane was 14 when his brother, Sami Alsaroori, was killed in a knife attack aged 31 in 2017.

"Before he passed, he saw my show reel and was excited to see my future, and I didn't want to let that dream die - it kept pushing me," Mr Alsaroori said.

"I asked if my brother can go so young, why am I living my life for others and thinking I can't make it? If I want to make it, I'll make it."

He said he now wanted to encourage other people from similar backgrounds not to give up if they dreamed of working in creative industries.

"In my community, people sometimes don't have that faith in themselves - but we're not stuck," he said.

"People going down the wrong paths, a lot of the time, it's from the people around you giving you no escape.

"All this crime takes place because you've got all these lost dreams and these creative minds dying, not able to see the light."

The cast and crew of Adolescence at Production Park in South Kirkby

Warp Films has launched the new internship in association with Screen Yorkshire and supported by Netflix.

Niall Shamma, CEO of Warp Films, said: "Growing up in Sheffield and going to a comprehensive school, I wasn't aware of the opportunities that existed in the film and TV industry, and the position I hold today is very much down to a chance meeting along the way.

"We want to change that and give local people the belief that this industry is open to them, and also provide them with a meaningful opportunity in the sector."

Applications open in December exclusively to people living in South Yorkshire.

Mr Alsaroori added there were more opportunities to get into the industry than people may realise.

"There's so much support now, it may have been a different world a few years ago, but it's developing faster and faster," he said.

"You won't be able to see that if you let the negativity eat you up, but if you use it as your motivator, you'll see that there is a chance and it's so much closer than you think.

"You don't have to go to London, it can happen right here."