Christian Aid refugee animation nominated for Charity Film Award

An animated film based on the real-life story of a refugee from Serbia, who found safety in the UK after the Second World War, has been nominated for a Charity Film Award. The winner of the award will be chosen through a public vote, which is now open and closes on 15 December.

The animation tells the story of Theodor Davidovic who received life-saving support from the charity while in a refugee camp in Europe. Theodor, who arrived in Scotland in 1947 and married a local girl, Betty, has enthusiastically supported the charity for the last 60 years.

Theodor, now 92, was orphaned as a child and sold into domestic service, eventually joining the resistance movement to fight against Germany. After the war, he found himself in refugee camps in Italy and Germany, but says he never forgot the Christian Aid food parcels he received.

Theodor began collecting for Christian Aid in the 1970s, later becoming a Christian Aid Week organiser, because "he felt he owed his life to the cause." He is still supporting the charity today. When shown the film at the age of 91, he said: "Betty and I have a giggle and I say to her, 'Look you're married to a film star.'"

The animation Theodor: The Refugee Who Never Forgot was released earlier this year to mark Christian Aid Week's 60th anniversary and to highlight the organisation's long-term commitment to supporting refugees.

The charity is encouraging members of the public to vote for the film before the deadline on 15 December 2017.

Head of Christian Aid Scotland, Sally Foster-Fulton said: "Theodor's story is truly inspirational and it's fantastic that the film has been nominated for an award. We would love people to take a moment, cast their vote and help us to continue to celebrate Theodor's incredible commitment to Christian Aid and to a compassionate and just future."

The Charity Film Awards aim to demonstrate that a charitable video can inspire, incite to action, excite and change behaviour. The first round of judging will be decided by a public vote with finalists announced in February and the winner in March 2018.

The animator was Karrie Fransman and it was produced by Narrative Empathy.

Vote for Theodor's film here: www.charityfilmawards.com/videos/theodor-the-refugee-who-never-forgot
Watch 'Theodor: The Refugee Who Never Forgot' www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HmU-OIL5h4&t=2s