Kyle Adams made short film Win for his final year project while studying BA (Hons) Film Production at University of Staffordshire. Now, it has been chosen by the National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) for its Official Selection 2025.
This showcase will be shown nationally at different festivals and events throughout the year, representing the best student filmmaking in Britain and Ireland.
All selected films are automatically put forward to compete in the National Student Film Awards. Win has also been shortlisted for ‘Best Factual Short Film’ at next month’s Royal Television Society Student Midlands Awards.
Kyle said: “I feel very proud that Win has been recognised by NAHEMI and the Royal Television Society. I am extremely grateful to the hardworking crew who worked on the film alongside me as I wouldn't have been able to make it without them. I am also thankful to the contributors to the film for allowing and trusting me to tell their stories. Filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and it would be selfish of me to take all the credit.”
Kyle found a passion for documentary filmmaking during his studies and saw previous success with his film Retro Revolution, which won ‘Best Short Documentary’ at the Northampton Film Festival last year.
Win tells story of three wrestlers and their lives as part of a small wrestling community based in Kyle’s hometown of Northampton. The documentary explores the niche world of independent UK wrestling and how it has allowed these wrestlers to overcome the odds and break down societal barriers.
“My aim in creating this documentary was to explore the world of independent wrestling but also show why it is important to so many people and maybe challenge some of the preconceptions that people may have about wrestling,” Kyle explained.
“To see that the film is connecting with people, whether they were existing fans of wrestling or not, is very touching.”
After graduating last summer, Kyle now teaches Media at Northampton College, passing his filmmaking knowledge onto the next generation.
“My time on the Film Production course was great and the support that I received was excellent. I was able to get hands-on with industry-standard equipment and received constant 1-1 support throughout my time on the course, with constructive feedback on my projects from industry professionals. This allowed me to create work that I am not only proud of but also work that demonstrates myself and my crew's technical and storytelling skills.”
Kyle continued: “It's been a real privilege to pass on the skills and knowledge I have learnt over the last few years to the next generation of creators. Seeing the work that the students have been producing has blown me away and to be a part of that learning journey is exciting.”
Colin Mottram, BA (Hons) Film Production Course Leader, added: It is great to see all of Kyle’s hard work paying off. Kyle’s short documentary film showcases his high-level filmmaking ability in terms of creativity, technical skills, and impactful emotive storytelling. I’m really proud to see this work getting the recognition it deserves.”
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