“Fighters” is the latest feature length documentary from production company ‘Ben&Jack Studio‘. The pair specialise in sports documentaries that explore important social issues and aim to create positive change in society.
Previous credits include “Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport” [Netflix] and “No Woman No Try” [Amazon Prime] that explored gender equality in sport, “Everybody’s Game” [Amazon Prime] that tackled racial equality through a rugby lens and “Abbie Ward. A Bump in the Road” [ITVX] that documented a professional athlete’s return to sport, 3 months after giving birth.
In this new production the pair join forces with disability equality specialist and activist Michael Grimmett, who co-directs this new production. Michael’s work hit headlines in 2021 after being forced to eat outside at a major restaurant chain as the venue didn’t provide appropriate access for Michael to come inside. Michael has cerebral palsy and uses an electric wheelchair.
Through the lens of adaptive boxing, “Fighters” aims to take non-disabled viewers on a journey to the front line of those fighting for disability equality in society. We follow our protagonist Matt Edwards, an amputee boxer who dreams of becoming professional, however his disability means he is repeatedly denied an assessment for an amatuer license, stopping his dream at the first step.
In Fighters, we follow Matt’s quest to obtain an amatuer license, fighting in white collar bouts to prove that his skills mean he deserves the same treatment a non-disabled boxer would receive. Can he change hearts and minds of the boxing governing body and earn a shot as fulfilling his dream? Can his story inspire change and have a ripple effect for disability equality in society?
Along the way we hear from prominent disability equality activists, including Issac Harvey, MBE, Peter Hull, MBE, Esi Hardy and director, Michael Grimmett, who explore and give context to the themes within Matt’s story relating them to the wider fight for disability equality in society.
Ultimately, ‘Fighters’ aims to inspire the non-disabled audience to realise the paramount importance of joining the fight for disability equality in society.
JACK TOMPKINS BIO
Jack Tompkins is a Director & Producer and partner in production company ‘Ben&Jack Studio’. After winning ‘Best in Festival’ with his debut documentary ‘Why Row an Ocean’, he has focused on creating powerful sports documentaries that explore important social issues in society. His storytelling style avoids pointing fingers or placing blame, instead focusing on authentic, candid human stories that audiences can relate to on a human level. Through this open, accessible approach, audiences are inspired to re-evaluate their own lives and how they can make change to be more inclusive.
Jack has a lifelong passion for sport, after graduating from the world’s top sporting institution “Loughborough University” with First-Class honours, he has combined his passion for filmmaking and sport. Recent credits include “Everybody’s Game” [Amazon Original, 2020], “No Woman No Try” and “Prep to Win: Harlequins” [both Amazon Exclusives, 2021], “Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport” [Netflix, 2023] and “Abbie Ward. A Bump in the Road’ [ITVX, 2024].
Today Jack has turned his attention towards disability equality. After many years creating Para-Sport content and time working closely with inclusive sport, he feels it is the last great challenge of society to become more inclusive.
