Patient stories take centre stage at NELCA Movie Night

On Thursday 19 March 2026, North East London Cancer Alliance (NELCA), in collaboration with Afriks Studio, hosted a private, invitation-only Patient Experience Movie Night at the Everyman Cinema in Stratford.

The exclusive screening brought together a diverse audience, including people living with cancer, their families, carers and invited stakeholders. The evening created a safe and shared space to reflect on the realities of cancer through the voices of those directly affected.

Attendees watched a series of short films centred on patient experiences. The first film, Breaking Cultural Myths, produced by NELCA and patient partners, explored cultural perceptions of cancer and the barriers they can create. This was followed by a collection of films produced by Anne, offering powerful insights into the lived experiences of cancer patients, including an honest portrayal of day-to-day life on a cancer ward.

Together, the films provided a deeply personal and thought-provoking perspective on both the emotional and practical aspects of a cancer journey.

The evening concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where audience members had the opportunity to speak directly with film maker Anne, alongside Jenny Mackley, who featured in one of the films. They shared reflections on their experiences and the inspiration behind the work, opening up wider conversations around cancer awareness, education and the importance of sharing lived experiences.

Reflecting on the event, Sarita Yaganti, Programme Lead Personalised Cancer care, Experience of care & Workforce at NELCA said:

A truly moving collection of stories from our patient. Each voice is unique and relatable as cancer impacts many of us in different ways.

Filmmaker Anne also reflected on the importance of creating space for open and honest dialogue around cancer:

"It is so important- life changing- to be having honest conversations about our cultural attitudes towards cancer. There is still a long way to go before we can speak freely, without stigma attached. We need to learn from one another and support each other by sharing our stories- opening this space together."

Anne highlighted how language can shape people’s experiences of illness, drawing on the work of Susan Sontag, who explored how metaphor-laden language can lead to feelings of blame and isolation. She noted that commonly used terms such as “battle” and “fight” can be harmful in how they frame cancer.

Referencing the work of Audre Lorde, she spoke about the importance of speaking openly about illness, even when it feels difficult, and that we do not need to be “ready” before sharing our experiences. She also reflected on the writing of Anne Boyer, whose work challenges the idea that illness must always be neatly explained or made meaningful.

The event highlighted the value of storytelling in improving understanding of cancer and creating meaningful dialogue between patients, professionals and the wider community. By bringing these experiences to life on screen, the evening reinforced NELCA’s commitment to placing patient voices at the heart of its work.