Production News

Bookmark and Share
18/08/2015

Channel 4 Commissions Three New First Cut Documentaries

News Image
Channel 4 has announced the commission of three new documentary films for the First Cut strand.

First Cut showcases 'original and bold' documentaries by first-time directors as Channel 4 has committed to nurturing 'new and diverse' talent.

The upcoming films will chronicle stories from 21st Century Britain: from a spate of mysterious deaths in Manchester's waterways, to the lives of some of the UK's OAP bodybuilders. Each has been made by filmmakers making their first full hour-length productions for national television.

David Brindley, commissioner for the First Cut strand comments: "Channel 4 has a reputation for helping launch new British talent both on and off-screen, and we're particularly proud of the impact First Cut has made in its six years. These new films will follow in the tradition of unflinching and unique storytelling from some of the nation's most accomplished new directors."

Recent First Cut films have received critical acclaim for their subject matter and filmmaking.

• Filmmaker Marc Williamson won the Breakthrough Talent award at the 2015 BAFTA Television Craft for The Last Chance School, a documentary which met the staff and pupils at a boarding school for children with behavioural difficulties.

• An audience of 2.1 million watched Jamie Roberts' challenging portrait of English far-right groups, Angry, White and Proud, now on the shortlist for a Grierson Award.

• Kicked Out Kids, directed by Natasha Zinni, received praise from charities for raising awareness around the topic of 18-year-olds being forced out of residential care.

Brindley adds: "First Cut has had an excellent year and we've been delighted by the recognition from the audience and the industry alike. We continue to accept pitches for further original and eclectic stories to join the award-winning strand – these should be sent to the strand's current curator, Rita Daniels, C4 Commissioning Executive."

The three new documentaries announced today are:

The Pusher (w/t)


In the last six years, the remains of over 60 individuals have been recovered from the canals of Greater Manchester; most are young men. Now headlines have claimed a serial killer, dubbed by locals as 'The Pusher', could be at large in the city. This film from Darren Lovell will explore the truth behind the Twitter rumours pointing to this alleged serial murderer. Meeting the bereaved looking for answers and the experts placing pressure on authorities to open an investigation, this complex film explores the facts at the heart of a 21st Century urban mystery.

Production Company: BriteSpark Films
Producer: Will Robson

Executive Producer: Nick Godwin

Directed by Darren Lovell

Bus Pass Body Builders (w/t)

Bus Pass Body Builders tracks the hopes and dreams of Britain's oldest muscle men and women as we follow five fascinating characters in the lead up to the World Finals in Miami. In today's rapidly changing world, this film takes an alternative look at what it is like to be a pensioner in 2015. From Freedom Passes to family feuds, OAP dating to DIY tanning, we explore our ageing population in Britain through the eyes of those refusing to grow up.

Production Company: Popkorn TV


Executive Producer: Rory Wheeler and Colin Moxon

Produced and Directed by Rachel Millar

Alex Lewis (w/t)


Filmmaker Leonardo Machado charts the story of a man fighting to rebuild his life after a devastating infection took his limbs, parts of his face and his independence. Father Alex Lewis came down with a common cold in late 2013 which quickly developed into septicaemia and toxic shock syndrome. With less than a 3% chance of survival, doctors fought to save Alex. From arriving back to his family home and readjusting his relationships, to taking his first steps, this film delves into some of the raw moments that shape his days. Starting just days after he lost his last limb, Machado follows Alex's incredible journey as he seeks his purpose in life, rebuilds his relationships and reinvents himself.

Production company: Twofour

Executive Producer: Andrew Mackenzie
Producer: Tanya Winston

Produced and Directed by Leonardo Machado

These three documentaries join the First Cut slate along with the soon to air film, Muslim Drag Queens.

Muslim Drag Queens


This compelling and powerful documentary allows unprecedented insight into the clandestine gay Asian or 'Gaysian' community in the UK. This community provides a vital lifeline and haven for young men who are unable to publically reconcile their sexuality with their cultural identity and traditions. Homosexuality is widely deemed to be forbidden within Islam and the exhibitionist nature of drag remains one of the ultimate taboos for many British Asians – forcing the entire scene underground. This sensitively-made film focusses on the stories of three of the 100-150 Muslim Drag Queens who face the seemingly insurmountable challenge of gaining acceptance and tolerance within their own wider communities. The film is narrated by Sir Ian McKellen.

Production Company: Swan Films
Executive Producer: Neil Crombie

Produced and Directed by Marcus Plowright
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

21/04/2023
Qvest Strengthens Position In Australia And New Zealand
Qvest is strengthening its position in Australia and New Zealand through the integration of tm stagetec systems. With the new Qvest Australia hub, the
19/04/2023
Avid Launches New Partner Program
Avid® has launched a new partner program, Works with Avid On Demand, that enables customers to expand their workflow capabilities through a growing ra
14/02/2011
IFTAs Awarded In Dublin
The winners of the 8th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards were announced at a gala ceremony held at Dublin's Convention Centre. The main categories
26/09/2023
Tall Story Pictures Appoints New Executive Producer
Tall Story Pictures, the ITV Studios label behind hit returning dramas such as The Bay and Grace, has appointed Phil Hunter as its Executive Producer.
08/03/2024
New Actus Multiviewer And AI Products To Be Unveiled At 2024 NAB Show
Actus Digital has productised the six specialty areas within its platform to now also offer each as an affordable standalone product. After significan
05/03/2024
Alfalite Launches New UHD Finepix LED Panels
Alfalite has announced the market launch of the new Alfalite UHD Finepix AlfaCOB® fixed installation LED panels with pixel pitch from 0.6 to 1.8mm. Th
05/03/2024
Glensound To Unveil New And Upgraded Products
Glensound is demonstrating its agility by introducing new and upgraded products much influenced by customer feedback. AoIP is now an essential ingredi
04/03/2024
d&b Group Opens New Immersive Technology Experience Centre
d&b group has opened a new immersive technology experience centre (ITEC), located at the world-renowned Science Museum in London, itself famed as a ce
29/02/2024
Atlona Is Now Shipping Two New Accessories
Atlona is now shipping two new accessories to help installers establish connectivity and simplify installations in learning and meeting spaces. The ac
29/02/2024
Ateliere Offers New Complimentary Professional Services
Ateliere Creative Technologies has launched a new complimentary Professional Services offering that provides assessments for studios, broadcasters, po
14/03/2024
pixitmedia Appoints New Team Members
pixitmedia, a Kalray company, has appointed three new team members to its Leadership Team. As Chief Marketing Officer, Penta Stanley will lead pixitme
27/02/2024
Keepit Opens New UK Headquarters In London
Keepit, a global leader in cloud backup and recovery solutions, has announced it has opened a UK headquarters in the City of London and the expansion
27/02/2024
Cobalt Iron Receives Another New Patent
Cobalt Iron has announced that it has received another new patent, this time on its technology for operational and event-driven network traffic shapin
27/02/2024
Rakuten TV Announces Multiple New Deals In Europe
Rakuten TV has consolidated its position as a key partner for telecommunications, announcing multiple new deals in Europe at MWC 2024. Rakuten TV has
22/02/2024
TSG Launches New Georgia Copper Product Line
Technical Services Group (TSG), a leading broadcast engineering and commercial AV solutions provider, has announced the full integration of Georgia Co