Film and TV
When A City Rises
Behind the gas masks of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, the often very young activists are just as diverse as the youths of the rest of the world. But they share a demand for democracy and freedom. They have the will and the courage to fight – and they can see that things are going in the wrong direction in the small island city, which officially has autonomy under China but is now tightening its grip and demanding that ‘troublemakers’ be put away or silenced. Amid the violent protests, we meet a 21-year-old student, a teenage couple and a new father. Nuances and dilemmas add depth to the heated conflict, which is otherwise in danger of being reduced to a romantic freedom fight in ideological black-and-white. If anything, the collective work ‘When A City Rises’ shows us that the battle against oppression is not just fought on the front lines on the streets, but also at home in the living rooms, in the schools and on social media. And we are there on all fronts in a courageous film about an entire generation’s last chance to have a life in democracy and freedom – until Covid-19 shows up and changes the rules of the game once again.
“The film we chose has the narrative tension of an action adventure film, is propelled forward by a powerful score and skillful editing and perhaps most importantly, pierces the depth of our emotions in its raw and honest portrayal of this real-life David and Goliath battle. ”
Dambe
This is a film about Taye, the reigning Dambe boxing champion of his local community in Lagos, Nigeria. Often called ‘Fight Club - Nigerian style’, the fighters will wrap their arms tightly in rope with the aim of knocking down an opponent in one strike. It is a fiercely competitive sport and largely undocumented, until now.
What started as a ‘what if…?’ conversation quickly became real when photographer Sebastian Barros and I began researching the sport in more detail. We came to realise there was little online documenting the art of Dambe and felt inspired to tailor our approach in a cinematic and exhilarating way through the eyes of Taye.
Exploring Taye’s exciting and largely unseen world has been both a raw and powerful experience. It was also incredibly refreshing to capture and shape a story that has space to breathe over a longer running time.
Winner of The Heritage Award at British Documentary Film Festival.
Also selected into Crystal Palace International Film Festival, British Documentary Film Festival, Frame Light Short Focus Festival and Documentary Filmmaker’s Showcase.
No More Wings
At a divergent point in their lives, two lifelong friends meet at their favourite South London fried chicken shop.
Best Narrative Short - Tribeca Film Festival.
IMDbProUK Audience Award - Encounters Film Festival
Audience Award - The Short List
Also selected into Raindance, Aesthetica, Flickerfest, London Short Film Festival and Indy Shorts.
Coming soon…
When A City Rises
Behind the gas masks of Hong Kong’s democracy movement, the often very young activists are just as diverse as the youths of the rest of the world. But they share a demand for democracy and freedom. They have the will and the courage to fight – and they can see that things are going in the wrong direction in the small island city, which officially has autonomy under China but is now tightening its grip and demanding that ‘troublemakers’ be put away or silenced. Amid the violent protests, we meet a 21-year-old student, a teenage couple and a new father. Nuances and dilemmas add depth to the heated conflict, which is otherwise in danger of being reduced to a romantic freedom fight in ideological black-and-white. If anything, the collective work ‘When A City Rises’ shows us that the battle against oppression is not just fought on the front lines on the streets, but also at home in the living rooms, in the schools and on social media. And we are there on all fronts in a courageous film about an entire generation’s last chance to have a life in democracy and freedom – until Covid-19 shows up and changes the rules of the game once again.
“The film we chose has the narrative tension of an action adventure film, is propelled forward by a powerful score and skillful editing and perhaps most importantly, pierces the depth of our emotions in its raw and honest portrayal of this real-life David and Goliath battle. ”
Selected into Winner of F:ACT Award at CPH:Dox Film Festival.
Watch ‘No More Wings’.
No More Wings
At a divergent point in their lives, two lifelong friends meet at their favourite South London fried chicken shop.
Best Narrative Short - Tribeca Film Festival.
IMDbProUK Audience Award - Encounters Film Festival
Audience Award - The Short List
Also selected into Raindance, Aesthetica, Flickerfest, London Short Film Festival and Indy Shorts.
Watch ‘Dambe’ .
Dambe
This is a film about Taye, the reigning Dambe boxing champion of his local community in Lagos, Nigeria. Often called ‘Fight Club - Nigerian style’, the fighters will wrap their arms tightly in rope with the aim of knocking down an opponent in one strike. It is a fiercely competitive sport and largely undocumented, until now.
What started as a ‘what if…?’ conversation quickly became real when photographer Sebastian Barros and I began researching the sport in more detail. We came to realise there was little online documenting the art of Dambe and felt inspired to tailor our approach in a cinematic and exhilarating way through the eyes of Taye.
Exploring Taye’s exciting and largely unseen world has been both a raw and powerful experience. It was also incredibly refreshing to capture and shape a story that has space to breathe over a longer running time.
Winner of The Heritage Award at British Documentary Film Festival.
Also selected into Crystal Palace International Film Festival, British Documentary Film Festival, Frame Light Short Focus Festival and Documentary Filmmaker’s Showcase.
Watch the teaser for ‘Love Is A Hand Grenade’
Love Is A Hand Grenade
Mixing drink, drugs and a friendship on eggshells was always going to be an explosive mix in this bittersweet British mini drama.
Selected into BFI Flare Film Festival.
Watch the teaser for ‘The Midwife’.
The Midwife
A desperate woman tries to make sense of the supernatural occurrences bringing chaos to her young family. Things take a turn when the midwife pays a visit.
Watch the teaser for ‘Final Gift’.
Final Gift
Recently bankrupt, Jason discovers his baby has a serious illness and slips back into a life of crime. The film highlights an urgency for organ donors.
Selected into Urbanworld Film Festival.
Watch the teaser for ‘With Love, My Darling’.
With Love, My Darling
Lying on a bed of taboo, a young couple in a remote French village test the boundaries of their relationship.
Selected into London Short Film Festival.
Watch ‘Quiet Carriage’ .
Quiet Carriage
A man must decide whether to intervene and stop a casual commuting rule breaker, or live with a lifetime of regret. A comedy about a passive man with an overactive imagination.
Selected into Chelmsford Film Festival, The Shortest Nights, LA Shorts International Film Festival, Leicester Film Festival, Bolton International Film Festival, Cardiff International Film Festival, Encounters Film Festival, Norwich Film Festival, This is England, Aesthetica Film Festival, London Short Film Festival, Winchester Film Festival, Atlanta Comedy Film Festival, Kinofilm 16th Manchester International Short Film & Animation Festival, Isle of Portland Short Film Festival , Portland Comedy Film Festival, Making Waves International Film Festival, TweetFest, Exit 6 Film Festival, Harrogate Film Festival, Dam Short Film Festival, Cleveland International Film Festival, Aspen Shortsfest, Oxford International Short Film Festival, Crystal Palace International Film Festival, Flicks Monthly Film Festival and Horsham Film Festival.
Watch ‘Stitch’.
Stitch
A woman under lockdown takes the opportunity to improve herself with unintended results...
Winner of Director’s Choice Award at Amplify.
Also selected into The Shortest Nights, Women X, Cornwall Film Festival, Shiny Finalist and Tweetfest.