Cut Short, an award-winning documentary addressing youth knife crime through lived experience, will be released free online on 27 February 2026, alongside a bespoke teaching and facilitation package for schools and youth-facing organisations across the UK.

The 28-minute film, which has already been used in over 300 schools and youth organisations nationwide, is aimed at young people aged 12-18 and explores the realities of knife crime, youth violence and gang exploitation. Designed as an early intervention tool, Cut Short places real voices at the heart of the conversation, encouraging honest discussion and critical reflection. The documentary follows Sarah Lloyd, whose son Kieran was murdered in broad daylight, and Vilson, who served time in prison for a knife-related gang attack. Now both campaigners, they share their lived experience and expose the irreversible consequences of violence in discussion with other survivors of the world of knife violence.

The benefit of this is, we don’t need to change everybody, if we can change one person, and then they in turn can change one person through understanding and education, before you know it, this has helped us create that critical mass to bring about that change that is needed.”

Featuring testimonies from former and current gang members, an ex-gang leader, and an eyewitness to Kieran’s fatal stabbing, Cut Short asks a vital question: why are young people in the UK being persuaded to carry knives - and what happens when you decide to use one? Alongside the film, the team has developed a free teaching package, co-created with experienced partner organisations. The resource allows teachers, youth workers and facilitators to adapt sessions to their own settings and aligns with several KS3 and KS4 Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) statutory objectives.

Both the film and resources are being distributed free of charge, with the aim that they are used, adapted and integrated into existing knife crime prevention and safeguarding work across education and youth services. Cut Short has been officially selected for four international festivals and won Best Short Documentary at Activists Without Borders. The film also includes knife crime data circa 2023 compiled from Freedom of Information requests to regional police constabularies, as well as signposting to specialist organisations supporting young people affected by gang culture and exploitation.

At a time when knife crime remains a critical safeguarding concern for UK schools, Cut Short offers a free, evidence-informed resource grounded in lived experience.

The film will be released free of charge, online on the 27/02/2026 at https://tell.studio/cutshort/, press can get an exclusive preview, alongside a copy of the teaching resources provided at tinyurl.com/cutshortdoc