Documentary
What makes Al Qaeda suicide bombers tick?
Humanising the enemy — Director Paul Refsdal lived alongside Jhabat al-Nusra’s ‘martyrdom seekers’ in Syria to understand what motivates them in his hard-hitting documentary Dugma: The Button.
Written by: Alex King
A Finnish skateboarder's snow-covered sanctuary
Winter wonderland — In the frozen heartland of Finland, Jaakko Saavalainen’s do-it-yourself skatepark proves anywhere can become a skate utopia - if you’re willing to put in the work.
Written by: HUCK HQ
In the West Bank town of Qalqilya skateboarding reigns supreme
The Z-Boys of Palestine — Situated on the West Bank of Palestinian territory, Qalqilya is a city surrounded by walls. Within this confinement though, SkateQilya is offering a place for a new generation of skateboarders to explore artistic expression.
Written by: Max Gayler
Six decades of conflict in Gaza explained in just 20 minutes
Putting Gaza in context — A short documentary unpicks the deep roots of the Gaza conflict, a human-made disaster driven by the state of Israel’s violent settler-colonial project in Palestine.
Written by: Alex King
Five years after Mark Duggan’s death, the anger that sparked the London riots is still burning
The fight for justice continues — The police killing of Mark Duggan sparked the worst riots in modern British history. George Amponsah’s documentary The Hard Stop argues that lessons still haven’t been learned.
Written by: Alex King
Running culture is transforming lives in Kenya and beyond
Pacing up that hill — Kenya is famed for its world-class runners. In his new documentary, Spencer MacDonald introduces us to some of those leading the way in their sport, and using their prowess to support their communities at home.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
Transcending the cruel rhythms of life in Edmonton, Canada
Music-making in the “northern shitty oil-city” — Dave Ehrenreich’s documentary ‘Rhythm of Cruelty’ follows the Canadian band of the same name, duo and romantic partners Brandi Strauss and Ian Rowley. Ehrenreich shows how Strauss and Rowley are attempting to revise the negative stereotypes which they say are associated with Edmonton by following their dream of touring their experimental punk band.
Written by: Christopher Sanders
The inspirational legacy of disabled skate legend Jon Comer
Living beyond your limits — In the mid-nineties, adaptive skateboarder Jon Comer made a name for himself in skate circles around the world, proving that having a prosthetic limb cannot hold you back from pursuing what you love. Filmmaker Ben Stoddard looks at Comer’s legacy in this tender, short documentary which follows skater Oscar Loreto Jr.
Written by: Christopher Saunders
Lessons on escapism from transformational artist Rolly Robinson
Radiate light every day — Makeup artist and master of transformation Rolly Robinson shares his inspiring outlook on life and upliftment in ‘More is More’, a beautiful short doc from director Alexis Boling.
Written by: Alex King
Surfer Léa Brassy on her Icelandic surf and ski odyssey
Breaking the ice — Inspiring short film 'Being There’ documents surfer Léa Brassy and her polar explorer boyfriend Vincent Colliard’s joint adventure in search of far-flung, icy swell.
Written by: Alex King
