Feature Films
To date, I have directed and produced one feature-length film; Ambitious 220 (IMDb). This was an unscripted sports film, which aimed to raise awareness of Ambitious About Autism and their annual challenge. We shot the entire film within 24 hours, largely with me hanging out the back of a car.
Four friends take up the challenge set by Rapha to complete an epic 220 mile bike ride across the UK, from South Shields to Carlisle, through Kendall and down to Manchester in under 24 hours. Through pain and suffering arises glory.
Starting their epic journey at midnight, leaving South Shields in Newcastle, over to Carlisle, down through the lakes and Kendall, ending in Manchester. They first put cleat to pedal at midnight for the promise of sunrise; a powerful natural motivator for the challenge.
Fourteen hours into the challenge, with 130 miles behind them, the horizon makes way for Kirkstone Pass. This two mile stretch of road with an elevation of 256 metres, would prove a worthy challenge for our fatigued heroes.
As the miles continued to fall behind them, our riders made it to the finish and completed the Ambitious 220 challenge in support of Ambitious About Autism. Even a herd of cows couldn’t prevent our riders from making the finish within 24 hours.
Nominee: Best Feature Doc, Lift-Off Season Awards 2023
Winner: Best Documentary, Lift-Off Film Festival Manchester 2023
Winner: Audience Choice, Lift-Off First-Time Filmmaker Sessions October 2022
After winning “Best Documentary” at the Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival 2023, and being short-listed for a season award, Directors Marcus Brooks and Henry Terry were invited to a filmmaker roundtable to discuss the film with Lift-Off Global Network.
