Southend’s Music Man Project has been shortlisted for the prestigious Smiley Charity Film Awards for its moving documentary “Behind the Scenes at the Royal Albert Hall”.
The film was created to “show future generations how incredible musicians with learning disabilities can be”.
The documentary offers a behind-the-scenes look at Music is Magic at the Royal Albert Hall 2024, the UK’s largest-ever celebration of accessible music-making.
Held in April, the concert showcased 300 talented musicians with learning disabilities alongside the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines and musical theatre legend Michael Ball OBE, a patron of the charity.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of charity film”, recognises the best films created by charities across the world.
David Stanley, founder of the Music Man Project, expressed his excitement about the nomination. 
He said: “It feels so great to be in the running for this award.
“Capturing our major achievements on film is very important for our charity.
“This documentary provides a unique insight into the challenges of putting on a major original concert production featuring 300 musicians with learning disabilities at a venue more typically reserved for elite performers and celebrities.
“We are living our best life through music, and all of these precious moments have been recorded forever.
“It shows what people with learning disabilities can do, not what they need. It shows that anything is possible.
“I encourage everyone to vote and to watch more of our content on our YouTube channel.”
The documentary was produced by the Team Lewis Foundation and shines a spotlight on the challenges and triumphs of staging a major original production in a world-famous venue.
This nomination comes just weeks after the charity received the highest honour a voluntary group can receive, the King’s Award.
The Smiley Charity Film Awards is the world’s largest cause-based film campaign.
Since its launch seven years ago, the awards have supported more than 5,000 charities and engaged nearly one million voters.
To vote, visit smileycharityfilmawards.com/films/music-is-magic-at-the-royal-albert-hall-2024-behind-the-scenes
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