An independent British coming-of-age film
While
We’re Young.
Same town.
Different futures.
The friendships. The fallouts. The pressure to fit in.
A year of school, and a whole life still to figure out.
North East England
In pre-production
01 / The film
Fitting in.
Falling out.
Growing up.
At school, popularity can feel like everything. But what happens when the world gets bigger?
While We’re Young follows a group of secondary-school students navigating friendship, social status and an uncertain future. Jokes become rumours, loyalties shift, and the everyday choices start to matter.
Alongside the fallouts are the ordinary moments of being young: lessons, lunch breaks, football, group chats and time spent together. A character-led ensemble story rooted in North East England.
Explore the published credits on IMDbProduction at a glance
- Genre
- Coming-of-age drama
- Setting
- Secondary school, present day
- Status
- Casting · pre-production
- Shoot Dates
- Provisional · to be confirmed
- Location
- North East England · venue(s) to be confirmed
- Pay
- Currently unpaid
- Runtime Aim
- 75 minutes
- IMDb
- View title page
The people behind the project
Core production team
02 / Casting
Every character
Every character
has a story.
Find yours.
We’re looking for believable voices and honest performances. You don’t need an agent or previous screen experience.
- Student roles
- Ages 13–16
- Ensemble
- Any gender · Ages 11+, including adults
- Adult role
- Mr Ellis · Ages 18+
- Remote option
- Josh · Video-call scenes
Currently unpaid. Dates and venues are not confirmed. Most roles require travel to North East England; expenses are not guaranteed. Under-18s must involve a parent or guardian.
View open roles
Crew Opportunity
Help shape the story.
We are expanding the writing team behind While We're Young and are looking for another writer who can help move the screenplay forward.
Additional Screenwriter
While We're Young is an independent, youth-led British coming-of-age feature currently in pre-production. You would work collaboratively with the existing writing team rather than being expected to take over the screenplay alone.
The role will involve developing natural teenage dialogue, classroom and friendship scenes, character relationships, structure, pacing and continuity. You may also draft agreed scenes and help revise existing material following feedback.
Experience is helpful but not essential. We are more interested in your voice, reliability and understanding of believable British teenage characters. A short writing sample is required.
Terms: This role is currently unpaid. Payment is not guaranteed and would only be reconsidered if funding is secured. Appropriate writing credit will reflect the work actually contributed. Credit, ownership, confidentiality and permitted use of material will be agreed in writing before work begins. Applicants under 18 must involve a parent or guardian.
Auditions
Your first step into the film.
No agent required. Start with the short expression-of-interest form — please do not send a self-tape until one is requested.
01
Complete the form
Tell us a little about yourself, where you're based and which role interests you. You can select more than one role. Under-18s should involve a parent or guardian.
02
Initial review
We'll review registrations against the roles available. There is no need to prepare or send audition material at this stage.
03
Shortlisted self-tape
If shortlisted, you'll receive a scene, clear recording instructions and the relevant consent information. A phone recording with clear sound and lighting is absolutely fine.
04
Next steps
The form confirms your submission automatically. Because we receive a high number of applications, personal replies may take several weeks and will be prioritised for shortlisted applicants.
Register your interest
The form opens in Google Forms. Please read our privacy notice before submitting. Callback and self-tape forms are shared privately.
FAQ
Before you apply.
Do I need previous acting experience?
No. We're casting for honesty over résumé — first-time actors are very welcome, especially for the student roles.
What ages are you casting?
The named student roles are for performers aged 13–16. Mr Ellis is an adult role for ages 18+. Background and ensemble opportunities are open to any gender aged 11 and over, including adults.
Is this paid work?
The production is currently unpaid. Payment or expenses may only be reconsidered if enough funding is actually secured; future payment is not guaranteed. Full terms will be provided before anyone commits to filming.
Where and when will filming take place?
Filming is planned for North East England, but exact locations and dates remain unconfirmed. Applicants for most roles must be able to travel to the region. Josh is the exception: his video-call scenes will be recorded remotely. Travel and accommodation expenses are not currently guaranteed.
Can I apply if I cannot travel to the North East?
Yes, for Josh. Josh is a friend who has moved away and appears through video calls, so the actor can record the role remotely. Other roles currently require travel to North East England. Under-18 applicants still need a parent or guardian involved, and shortlisted applicants will receive clear recording, consent and privacy instructions.
What should I include in my self-tape?
Please wait until a self-tape is requested. Shortlisted applicants will receive a specific scene and instructions. Natural light, a plain background and clear sound are all that matter — no professional setup is required.
Can I submit for more than one role?
Yes. Select every suitable role on the expression-of-interest form. We may also consider applicants for a different role where appropriate.
I don't see a role that fits me — should I still apply?
Yes. We're still building the ensemble and background cast, and roles may change as the script develops. Choose the general ensemble option on the form.
What happens if I'm under 18?
A parent or guardian must be involved before any self-tape, callback or filming arrangement moves forward. They will be included in important production communication and asked for the appropriate consent information.
Will child performance licences be needed?
Requirements depend on each performer's circumstances and the filming arrangements. The production will check with the relevant local authorities and will arrange any required licences and approved supervision before filming.
Safety & Privacy
For performers.
For performers.
For peace of mind.
Safeguarding and consent are part of the production process, not an afterthought.
For under-18s
A parent or guardian will be involved in self-tapes, callbacks and filming arrangements. Applicants should never be asked to attend a private meeting alone.
Before filming
Evan Watson is the production's named Adult Safeguarding Lead. Required council checks, licences or exemptions, supervision arrangements and consent documents will be confirmed before filming involving minors.
Communication
Official casting communication comes from casting@whilewereyoungfilm.uk. General questions can be sent to info@whilewereyoungfilm.uk, while welfare or safety concerns can be sent to safeguarding@whilewereyoungfilm.uk.
Privacy and production information
Application information is used only for casting, production administration and safeguarding. A dedicated privacy notice explains what is collected, why it is needed, how long it is retained and the choices available to applicants and parents.
Read the privacy notice · Read the website terms
Safeguarding policy: the full policy is held internally and can be supplied to parents, venues and relevant authorities on request. Safeguarding questions can be sent to safeguarding@whilewereyoungfilm.uk.
Get in touch
Let’s talk.
Questions about a role, a location or the production? Choose the right inbox below.
info@whilewereyoungfilm.uk
General questions and the best starting point if you are unsure who to contact.
production@whilewereyoungfilm.uk
Production planning, locations, crew enquiries and project collaboration.
casting@whilewereyoungfilm.uk
Applications, auditions, callbacks and casting questions.
safeguarding@whilewereyoungfilm.uk
Concerns or questions involving welfare, safety or appropriate conduct. This is not an emergency service.
partnerships@whilewereyoungfilm.uk
Sponsorship, educational collaboration, locations, services and other partnership enquiries.
Support the production
Help move the film forward.
While We're Young is an independent, youth-led production. Patreon supporters help us develop the project and work towards the practical costs of production.