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Since the first draw in 1994, The National Lottery has raised over £49bn to bring positive change to communities across the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man. Thanks to the players of The National Lottery, good causes have been awarded over 690,000 individual grants to strengthen local communities, power sports teams, support environmental projects, unleash creative talent, empower the elderly and unlock young people's potential.
To mark The National Lottery's 30th birthday, they're launching a campaign celebrating the game-changing impact that they have collectively delivered, to help inspire the next generation of good causes and players.
As Into Film is one of the organisations awarded National Lottery good cause funding (through the BFI), this week we're highlighting five of our own inspiring young game-changers, whose remarkable achievements would not have been possible without the work that National Lottery funding allows us to do.
Greta McMillan
Based in Glasgow, Greta won our Changes for a Better World category at the Into Film Awards in 2022. Her winning film, Change Direction, is a quietly impassioned call-to-action in the face of climate change apathy. Made when she was 17 years old, through the use of an eyegaze communicator, Greta's film is a remarkable achievement that carries an important message for us all - not least of all those in positions of power, who have the ability to effect significant change in the fight to protect our planet.
The climate emergency is such a huge global issue. I wanted to somehow say something as a young person who will need to deal with this as an adult... It really makes me mad.
Greta McMillan, Into Film Award-winning filmmaker of 'Change Direction'
Utilising her namesake Greta Thunburg's famous 'our house is on fire' speech, Greta's film is both intimately personal and globally relevant, as she explains.
"Change Direction is about climate change and the social responsibility each of us has. It was filmed just before, and in response to, the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow last year. The climate emergency is such a huge global issue, I wanted to somehow say something as a young person who will need to deal with this as an adult.
"The climate problem is so huge and complex, the film had to be simple and about the everyday. So it's about me on my journey to school, walking, cycling and wheeling with the other kids, and seeing all the adults driving about the city on their short journeys (one adult per car...), and metaphorically telling us to recycle our yoghurt cartons whilst they pollute the planet. It really makes me mad."
Greta had the support of her parents during production, but directed the film herself through the use of her eyegaze communicator.
"As a wheelchair user, filmmaking allows me to express myself creatively, and without any barriers. I make films using my eyegaze device, which wouldn't have been possible even a few years ago. Advances in technology have been a real game-changer, and can allow people with disabilities to be on a level playing field".
As a wheelchair user, filmmaking allows me to express myself creatively, and without any barriers.
Greta McMillan, Into Film Award-winning filmmaker of 'Change Direction'
Change Direction by Greta McMillan
We're proud that, as a direct result of the BFI, awarding National Lottery good cause funding (as well as other key funders), Into Film have been able to support Greta to have her voice heard through film.
Thank you to the BFI, everyone who plays the National Lottery, and to the National Lottery themselves, for their continued support, allowing Into Film to discover, support and develop game changers like Greta.
