Documentary Projects Shortlist

In April 2022 I started photographing a community of Ukrainian refugees in Moorhaven, a village on Dartmoor in Devon, UK. I wanted to understand the impact of landing in a remote British landscape after fleeing war and making a home in the post-Brexit UK. I spent 21 months alongside the people in this project, capturing their everyday lives. The ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme saw the British public welcome refugees into their homes, with approximately 140,800 people housed. Of the hosts who participated, 80 percent said they were glad that they did and 70 percent said they were willing to host again, be it someone from Ukraine or Afghanistan. This project aims to show that the capacity to be open to human difference still exists in the UK, despite the ‘hostile environment’ policies, and that we are all connected in our need for purpose, a home, and community.

Frankie is a self-taught photographer with a background in anthropology and journalism. Her work is about universal human needs across different communities, in particular diaspora communities. In 2022, Frankie started to photograph Ukrainian refugees in her local community as part of a project on
our ability to be open to difference at a time when borders across the world are tightening. Her work has been shortlisted for the Taylor Wessing Award and won OpenWalls Arles and Portrait of Britain.