Lee Hall’s film "Billy Elliot," released in 2000, focuses on an 11 year-old aspiring dancer and his family during the 1984 UK coal miner strike. Convincing his father that he is attending boxing lessons, Billy Elliot secretly pursues ballet. Woven into the story are the challenges Billy’s father and brother face while on strike. The movie continues with Billy’s persistence and passion to do what he loves.

The film won 10 awards between 2000 and 2001, and was nominated for another 9 awards. Due to its popularity, Melvin Burgess wrote a novelization of the screenplay. In 2005, the film was adapted for the stage as "Billy Elliot the Musical." In 2008, the musical opened on Broadway and since then has won 10 Tony Awards.