Modern Slavery Statement

Financial year covered: 1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025
Issue date: 16 October 2025
Next review: 1 October 2026
Contact: ed@herenow.film

1) Our commitment

Here Now Films opposes all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced or compulsory labour, and child labour. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business dealings and to improving our systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place within our own business or our supply chains.

Although we are not currently required to publish a statement under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (turnover threshold), we choose to do so voluntarily and to apply the Act’s principles.

2) Who we are

Here Now Films Ltd is a UK-based video production company operating from London and Cornwall, working across development, production, post-production and delivery for brands, NGOs and broadcasters.

Our workforce: a small core team supplemented by vetted freelancers and contractors (producers, directors, DOPs, sound, lighting, editors, colourists, animators).

Typical suppliers: equipment rental houses, post-production facilities, studios/locations, travel and accommodation providers, catering, security, and other production services.

3) Policies & governance

We maintain the following policies (available on our Policies & Compliance hub or on request):

  • Code of Conduct (suppliers & freelancers): prohibits forced labour, trafficking, unethical recruitment fees, document retention, exploitation, and child labour; requires right-to-work compliance, fair pay, and safe working conditions.
  • Recruitment & Right-to-Work: we do not charge recruitment fees; we verify identity and eligibility to work in the UK for employees and (where applicable) freelancers; we never hold original passports/IDs.
  • Whistleblowing: confidential channel via ed@herenow.film for workers and suppliers to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
  • Health & Safety Policy: safe working conditions on sets, in studios and offices.
  • Safeguarding Policy: additional protections for under-18s and adults at risk.
  • Anti-Bribery & Ethical Conduct: zero tolerance for corruption or coercion.

4) Risk assessment & focus areas

Modern slavery risks in our sector are typically indirect and can arise in:

  • Temporary labour & long hours in production environments.
  • Third-party services (security, cleaning, catering, logistics) and international travel.
  • Equipment & electronics supply chains (upstream manufacturing risks).
  • Accommodation arranged at short notice.

We assess risks based on geography, service type, urgency, price pressure, and labour intensity.

5) Due diligence in our supply chain

We apply proportional checks to suppliers and freelancers before engagement and during renewal:

  1. Onboarding questionnaire (size, location, labour standards, right-to-work approach, subcontracting).
  2. Contractual clauses requiring compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (or local equivalent), audit cooperation, and immediate notification of concerns.
  3. Right-to-work verification for UK engagements (employees and, where applicable, contractors).
  4. No-fees recruitment: we do not use agencies that charge workers recruitment fees.
  5. Red-flag triggers → escalation and potential pause of work:
    • Unusual payment arrangements (cash-only, withheld wages, recruitment “deposits”).
    • Retention of workers’ identity documents by a supplier.
    • Excessive hours without rest; below-market rates under coercion.
    • Use of labour from high-risk jurisdictions with no safeguards.
    • Locked or controlled accommodation.

6) Training & awareness

  • Induction for staff and producers includes a 15-minute modern slavery briefing: recognising signs, how to escalate, and how to handle disclosures.
  • Producers and production managers receive a checklist to use when booking studios, security, drivers, and accommodation.
  • We share a one-page supplier guidance note with red flags and our contact channel.

7) Reporting & remediation

If any worker or supplier suspects modern slavery:

  • Report immediately to ed@herenow.film (or directly to the Managing Director).
  • Concerns are logged within 24 hours; we consult specialist guidance and, where appropriate, notify the police/Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline (08000 121 700) and relevant agencies.
  • We will suspend or terminate relationships where violations are substantiated and prioritise the safety and welfare of affected workers.
  • We will cooperate with authorities and our clients to support remediation.

8) Next steps (2025–2026)

  • Add an anti-exploitation clause to all freelancer and supplier POs.
  • Include a modern slavery statement request in studio/location bookings.
  • Maintain a preferred supplier list reviewed annually for labour standards.

9) Approval

This statement has been approved by the Board of Directors of Here Now Films Ltd and will be reviewed annually.

Signed electronically by:
Ed Smit, Managing Director
Here Now Films Ltd
Date: 16 October 2025

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