During it's development in 2011, Sixteen was chosen out of 400 screenplays for the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum.
Principal Photography took a total of 18 days from Mid-March 2013. One day of pickups took place in July 2013 based on feedback from a test-screening with industry professionals and ordinary film-goers at Soho Screening Rooms.
During filming Roger Jean Nsengiyumva actually lived with Rachael Stirling to further authenticate their on-screen relationship together.
Timing was of the essence! A lot of filming locations were being knocked down shortly after filming. Sections of the campus used for both the school and police station scenes were being demolished around the cast & crew whilst filming. The exterior tower blocks in South London (also used for filming A Clockwork Orange & Misfits) and the housing estate in East London (used for Made in Dagenham & Fish Tank) were also being demolished and redeveloped shortly after filming wrapped.
Part-financed by Bath Spa University, where the writer/director Rob Brown and one of the Producers Nic Jeune also work. The remainder of the funding came from a Kickstarter campaign launched during post-production, lasting for 30 days.