Acclaimed 'Barrel Children' documentary now available to stream
The award-winning Windrush documentary examining Caribbean family separation is now streaming online.
The award-winning documentary Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind is now available to stream online, marking a new chapter in the film’s journey after successful cinema screenings and community events across the UK, Caribbean and US.
Released in 2023, the box office-hit film examines the long-term impact of Caribbean migration to Britain on family life, focusing on the emotional cost of separation experienced by children left behind while parents travelled to the UK to work and settle.
Produced and directed by our founder Nadine White, through Brixton Heights Media, the documentary draws on first-hand testimony, historical context and intergenerational reflection to explore how Windrush-era migration reshaped Caribbean families and continues to influence identity, belonging and family dynamics today.
Reflecting on the decision to make the film available to stream, Nadine said: “It feels especially right to share this with you now, during a season when family, memory and reflection are never far from the surface.
“This film was made with and for the community, and streaming allows those stories to reach people wherever they are in the world.”
The term “barrel children” refers to those who were raised by relatives and sustained through care packages sent from overseas, often at great emotional cost.
The film has previously been recognised for its contribution to public understanding of Windrush history and Caribbean family life, resonating strongly with audiences who see their own stories reflected on screen.
Its move to streaming makes the documentary accessible to a wider global audience, including those unable to attend in-person screenings.
Audiences can watch Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind here for a limited festive period.