A film about life at Jewish special needs schools has picked up an award.

Vanilla Films, based in Ballards Lane, Finchley, produced the 12-minute documentary, which was commissioned by special needs charity, Kisharon.

Managing directors Debra Sobel and Karen Benveniste returned from their Rosh-Hashanah break to learn it had won the EVCOM Clarion Award.

The Kisharon film, Through Life’s Journey, follows the lives of people with learning disabilities who are supported by the charity - including a child at Tuffkid nursery, a Kisharon Day School student and a young adult embarking on his first job in the City.

It was filmed using vox pops at Kisharon’s Gala Dinner in May 2014 and premiered on the same day.

In the film’s opening line, narrator Eliezer Chontow asks “when you look at me, what do you see?”

Guests who were interviewed were asked to define themselves, then the answers were edited and shown at the beginning of the main film to provoke audience reaction. Those featured included British-born Asian television personality Meera Syal.

Ms Sobel said: “Kisharon came to us because they wanted to do something a bit different, something edgy and innovative.

“Filming the opening of the film live on the night achieved just that as guests became part of the film.

“Working with Kisharon is inspiring and we are glad the film helped to make an impact. This is our fourth award in six months so we’re delighted that our work is being recognised.”

Richard Franklin, Kisharon’s director of fundraising and communications, said: “This is a significant award in the not-for-profit and corporate social responsibility arena.

"We chose Vanilla Films for their understanding of our desire to champion and challenge attitudes towards special educational needs, and to address prejudice.”