Essential Information
| Type | Events and festivals |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and Times | Saturday 1 November 2025 | 1pm-4pm |
| Prices | Free |
Join us at the National Maritime Museum to mark Remembrance Day through film and live performances.
Organised in partnership with Matglen Veterans Hub and artist Teal Darkenwald, the event features a screening of Unseen Scars. This short film shines a light on the often unseen struggles faced by returning veterans, particularly those living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The afternoon will also feature a panel discussion and a dance performance from Teal Darkenwald and Bird College.
Find out about the events taking place below.
Event schedule
Remembrance: A Call to Mind
1pm- 1.10pm | Outside the National Maritime Museum
The commemorations will begin with a Reveille from Bugle Major, Sergeant Jake Pugsley.
Keynote speaker Ally Musthan will give a short speech introducing the day and the events coming up. This will be followed by a one minute silence.
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Film screening: Unseen Scars
1.30pm-1.55pm, | Lecture Theatre
Written and directed by Carl Mackenzie, Unseen Scars follows James (Andrew Lee Potts), a military veteran trying to readjust to civilian life.
Starring Luke Mably, Tori Butler-Hart, Mhairi Calvey, Jamie Chambers and Steven Blades, this powerful film raises awareness of mental health – and highlights the hidden wounds many veterans carry. It was produced by Choice Point Productions.
Panel discussion and Q&A
1.55pm - 2.45pm | Lecture Theatre
Filmmaker Carl Mackenzie, veterans Ally Musthan and Jay French come together to discuss the inspiration behind Unseen Scars and its key themes.
The conversation will explore the complexities of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the psychological effects of military service faced by armed forces personnel, their families and friends.
Psychologist Dr Kasia Wilk will introduce the panel, and the conversation will be chaired by actor Andy Poole.
Content warning: Please note that this talk will cover topics including suicide and survivor's guilt. A list of mental health services and resources is available at the bottom of this page.
About the panel
1 / 5
Carl Mackenzie
Carl Mackenzie is an award-winning writer, producer, and director, recognised for his determination and passion for creating commercially accessible stories with a strong social commentary.
He is best known for The Interrogation of Olivia Donovan, which received the Jury Special Mention for Outstanding UK Film at the Manchester International Film Festival 2017.
In 2025, Carl released the war drama Unseen Scars, a film with a deeply personal resonance for him, inspired by witnessing first-hand the challenges faced by those suffering from PTSD and the impact on their loved ones. The film had its premiere in April 2025 at the iconic Prince Charles Cinema, Leicester Square.
Carl is a proud member of BAFTA and Directors UK, and was also the founder of the Chelmsford Film Festival.
In 2026, Carl will release his debut novel, 3 Days in Ibiza.
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Ally Musthan
In 2009, Ally Musthan joined the Honourable Artillery Company. He later joined F Company, 7th Battalion The Rifles, where he participated in countless training exercises in the UK and abroad before deploying on an operational tour in Afghanistan.
In 2018, Musthan won the Inspiration of the Year award by the British Ex-Forces in Business organisation for his exemplary transition from the military into the civilian workforce. In 2021, Musthan started Matglen International Consulting, a security risk management consultancy company. He has also gone on to start a community interest company, the Matglen Veterans Hub which will be the only dedicated space designed to offer support to currently serving personnel, veterans and their families in London, Monday through Friday.
His biggest achievement to date is his role as The City of London’s Divisional Secretary for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) where he supports vulnerable service personnel, veterans, and their families with a small team of amazing volunteers. Musthan has represented SSAFA at events at 10 Downing Street and The Guards' Chapel and has been a featured speaker at the SSAFA Christmas Carol Concert.
Musthan’s participation in this remembrance celebration will include sharing his personal experiences in a no-holds-barred, inclusive way. The reality of war has many different facets, and his story will be featured within these Remembrance Day proceedings.
3 / 5
Jay French
Jay joined the Army as a junior soldier at the age of 16 in February 1987, then joined 2RGJ (Royal Green Jackets), becoming 1RGJ in 1992.
He was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1994 whilst serving in Cyprus on a two year posting with 1RGJ and promoted up the ranks in turn to Warrant Officer Class Two.
Jay served on operational tours to Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sierra Leone, Iraq and numerous other countries including Kazakhstan, Estonia and Kenya as an advisor.
Jay finally left the regular Army in December 2011, going on to serve a further ten years in the Army Reserves with 7 Rifles based in West Ham. His boots were hung up in 2020 for the final time.
4 / 5
Dr Kasia Wilk
Dr Kasia Wilk is a Chartered Psychologist, transformation coach and founder of Choice Point Productions.
Kasia created Choice Point Productions after witnessing the aftermath of the Manchester terror attack in 2017. She set out on a mission of showcasing the power of choice through film.
In 2020, Kasia began developing Choice Point’s debut film Unseen Scars. For this, Kasia wanted to focus on the specific theme of PTSD and the struggles veterans go through in returning to civilian life, while creating an extremely unique and commercially successful film. Like its production company, Kasia aims to make Unseen Scars more than just a film.
She is thrilled to be creating this film alongside a powerful production team and cast, while also giving a platform for veterans to share their own unique stories.
5 / 5
Andy Poole
Andy has been working on stage professionally for over 25 years as a stand-up comedian, MC, presenter, vocalist and actor having first stepped up to a mic in his late teens.
He has been lucky enough to work with extraordinary comedy performers, legendary filmmakers, incredible actors and some of the greatest musicians and bands around.
He has also taken lead roles in dramatic works as diverse as 4.48 Psychosis, Arcadia, Brimstone and Treacle, It’s a Wonderful Life, Jerusalem, Sarcophagus and The Importance of Being Earnest as well as multiple roles in musicals such as Evita and Sweeny Todd.
He has a popular and unique charity “all-star” band and is the longstanding organiser and on stage host of the Essex Entertainment Awards' event, the PANIC Awards.
Away from the stage, Andy has been an award-winning interior designer, a mediocre painter and a proud father of two fabulous boys.
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Talk: Bugle Call – History of the Bugle
3.00pm– 3.25pm | Propeller Space
Join Bugle Major Jake Pugsley for a performance and talk on the instrument synonymous with the military.
About Sergeant Jake Pugsley
Sergeant Jake Pugsley is an Assault Pioneer Platoon Commander and Bugle Major with a passion for combat infantry engineering and bugling. With operational experience in Kosovo, Afghanistan, and most recently Estonia, Jake has honed his skills in diverse and challenging environments. He has also participated in major NATO exercises in Kenya and Germany.
Dance performance
3.30pm-3.45pm | Propeller Space
Watch a dance performance given by interdisciplinary artist and educator Teal Darkenwald and students from Bird College, inspired by the film Unseen Scars.
For several years, Darkenwald has created the choreography for Royal Museums Greenwich's Remembrance commemorations. She has held research roles at Bird College, the University of Essex and Trinity Laban.
Mental health services and resources
- NHS 111. Call 111 – 24 hours a day
- Matglen Veterans Hub resources
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
- Papyrus – prevention of young suicide HOPELINE247. Call 0800 068 41 41 pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Childline – for children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill
- SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone. Call 0808 115 1505 – 8pm to midnight Monday to Friday, 4pm to midnight Saturday and Sunday
What’s On
More events at Royal Museums Greenwich.
Banner image: still from Unseen Scars by Choice Point Productions.