A short animated film highlighting the work of Humanists UK’s Faith to Faithless service has been selected as a finalist in the Smiley Charity Film Awards. The film, produced in collaboration with OOF Animation, uses animation to depict a person navigating a labyrinth, guided by a thread of colour.
The Faith to Faithless service is the only UK-based support program specifically dedicated to assisting individuals leaving high-control religious groups, often referred to as “apostates.” The program provides a specialist helpline offering confidential emotional support, with many volunteers possessing personal experience of leaving such groups, according to Humanists UK.
Ignatz Johnson Higham, director of OOF Animation Ltd, devised the visual concept for the film. He explained the creative team deliberately avoided referencing specific contemporary religions, instead drawing inspiration from ancient myths, particularly the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. “The story of Theseus escaping the labyrinth, guided by Ariadne’s thread, became a powerful metaphor for finding a way out of isolation and control,” Johnson Higham said. He added that the project became “something personal” due to the alignment with the cause, stating, “If it helps someone feel seen or understood, that’s truly amazing.”
The film aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by those leaving high-control religious environments, which can include social isolation, unemployment, and homelessness. Clare Elcombe Webber, Director of Community Services at Humanists UK, who narrated the film, emphasized the need for the service, stating, “Faith to Faithless delivers incredible, much-needed services to a group of people who are often invisible to government and society as a whole.” She as well noted the importance of achieving the right tone in the animation to reach as many people as possible.
Demand for Faith to Faithless’ services has increased annually since its founding in 2015. The service recognizes the nuanced experiences of those leaving high-control religions, including the potential for forced homelessness, unemployment, and shunning by family and peers.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards, recognized by the British Film Institute (BFI) and IMDb, have been running for eight years. The competition celebrates films created for charities and purpose-driven organizations. The Faith to Faithless film was initially selected as a finalist through public voting. An expert judging panel will now determine the winners, evaluating films based on storytelling, impact, and effective communication of their cause. A People’s Choice Award will also be presented based on public votes. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on March 26, 2026.
