Film about Sunderland's MMA community wins major sports broadcasting award
The team rubbed shoulders with the likes of Wayne Rooney at the awards.
A documentary which shines a light on the city’s MMA community and how it helps men in combating the battle with mental health has scooped a major award.
From the mats of the Made for the Cage gym to soaring cinematography from atop Tunstall Hill, the crew spent 19 months on location all around Sunderland to shoot the 90-minute film, Poised.
The film was made by production company Two Yanks and a Brit after director and executive producer Toby Robson was inspired to make a film about the transformative power of MMA after meeting a city coach.
Steven George France is well known in the city for Made for the Cage, a fight promotion and coaching gym he established with Dale Percival, with the pair coaching scores of young people over the years and his story inspired Toby to make the film.
Now, the film has won Sports Documentary of the Year (over 60 mins) at the Broadcast Sport Awards where they were up against the big streaming giants and public service broadcasters.
Toby said: "We were gobsmacked to win this award. It is a privilege for this film from the region to compete and ultimately win out amongst the big boys. But it's testament to the stories of our contributors that paved the way foremostly.
“Thanks to everyone who's supported and if you haven't yet, please go see the film! The dark nights give you all the excuse too.”
Feedback from the judges said: “This was a remarkable piece of film making, which is at times a hard watch, but shows how sport can shine a light on situations and create a path to a better future and leave a legacy.”
Speaking about the inspiration for the film, North East-based Toby said: “I got introduced to Steven about 10 years ago through a friend for a feature in Dazed & Confused. We were actually looking to profile one of Steven’s fighters he was training at the time.
“But in the meeting I noticed Steven had this steely quietness and power about him and I thought there’s got to be more of a story with this guy.”
The two stayed in touch over the years and started discussing a documentary about Steven’s life, his passion for fighting and how it’s helped him, and those around him, to navigate difficult chapters in life.
POISED is out now and available to watch free across the UK on @wearestv