A Lemon Top Picture's Production, 'In His Name' by Shakira Newton.

Written and Directed by Shakira Newton, and Produced by Alysha Christal, 'In His Name' is a poignant and powerful exploration of identity, belonging and the profound lessons that can be learned in moments of crisis and conflict. 

Click here to watch a video explanation!

The Story

In the working class town of Portsmouth, Jordan, a young mixed-race man, returns to the familar but divided territory of his father's working mans social club for a sombre occasions - his father's wake. Raised in a close knit community, Jordan has always straddled the line between the ignorant, but tolerating locals of his home town and the longing for true acceptance and autonomy that many Global Majority Brits feel. Jordan's journey is one of self-discovery, resilience and the redefinition of what it means to be part of a community, even when it reveals its darkest sides. 

Why we need your help

We have been granted Intent to Fund from a major British public funder, however, this only makes up a fraction of the budget we need to make the film so our next step is raising the remaining funds to make it happen! 
The donation options offer you some helpful equivalents to put the amount into perspective and give a nod to the local experience you can get in our film location - Pompey!

We’re so lucky to already have various people onboard who are donating their time and resources to help us make this film and if there's a way you're keen to help us out, we love collaboration so please do reach out!

As part of the production we are keen to keep it authentic to the experience of Portsmouth and the Global Majority in far end factions of the UK. In addition to doing this through storytelling, our passion is also to get these people whose stories we are telling involved in the production! So please get in touch if you want to help us bring this film to life - please email lemontoppictures@gmail.com

The Filmmakers

A rarity in this industry - Our Director and Producer and both queer, working class and of the global majority!

Writer and Director - Shakira Newton

Shakira Newton is a Portsmouth born and bred queer, working class and mixed race multi-disciplined artist of Bajan and Irish heritage. She is an actor, writer, director, poet and producer who has had multiple success in each of these occupations since graduating from drama school in 2021. Her debut play Things I Can Laugh About Now had two sell-out runs at Brixton House Theatre in 2022, and received two nominations (BEST FEMALE ACTOR IN A PLAY and BEST PRODUCTION PLAY) at the Black British Theatre Awards of the same year. Shakira is a published playwright that has transitioned seamlessly to screen having two other shorts released: 'Shampoo' produced by BO15 Productions in 2022; and 'Three Dates' produced by East 15 Acting School and Ryan Kirwin Films in 2021.
Alongside a fruitful personal career, Shakira co-runs a live events and theatre production company called Piece of Cake Productions; a creative hub dedicated to championing, and creating opportunities for Black and Global Majority artists.

When asked about creating this short, Shakira said: "Growing up outside of London is a challenge for most creatives in the performing arts. The opportunities just aren't here like they are in places like London. This is one reason why I am so chuffed to be making my first film about Pompey, in Pompey, with actors and creatives from Pompey to ensure it stays Pompey as f**k!" 
She also added "P.T.I.D.W.F.H.S" which she ensures the right people will understand!

Instagram - @shakiraaashakiraaa

Twitter - @ShakiraNewton

Producer - Alysha Christal

Alysha started her career in the production department of Hat Trick Productions working in drama, live TV, and a studio sitcom. Since, she has honed her experience across various productions from commercials and music videos to working on broadcast documentaries and BFI funded shorts.

As a queer woman of colour, she aims to amplify marginalised voices both behind and in front of the camera, while captivating a wider audience with untold stories, setting up Lemon Top Pictures in order to continue to produce stories that are align with her passions.

Final Remarks

As creatives of colour we’re so excited to bring this film to life and even more excited for you to see our efforts come together, so please share and donate and we look forward to bringing In His Name to your screens in 2024! Thank you!