Running Naked will be streamed online on Thursday 4 February with a portion of each ticket sale donated to Teenage Cancer Trust and Weston Park Cancer Centre.
The film was made as part of the MA in Feature Film Production at Staffordshire University and successfully brought together a crew of industry professionals who mentored students throughout the shoot.
It tells the story of Mark and Ben who have been friends since meeting as teenage cancer patients. Twenty years later, Mark is a successful, womanising doctor while Ben has become a neurotic recluse. After receiving a dramatic piece of news the film follows the friends as they embark on an adventure that will change both their lives.
Course Leaders Andy Paton and Mike Knowles produced the film which is directed by Emmy winner and Oscar nominee Victor Buhler. Written by Victor with Mike and his wife Jennifer Knowles, the heartfelt story draws on Jennifer’s personal experience as a cancer survivor.
Andy Paton, Senior Lecturer in Film Production, explained: “We believe that it is incredibly important for students to get hands-on experience working on a professional film shoot and what better way to do that than make one ourselves!
“Funding came from private equity combined with in-kind use of equipment, space, locations and crew from Staffordshire University so anyone local will recognise many of the locations.”
The film stars Matthew McNulty (Domino), Andrew Gower (Carnival Row), Rakhee Thakrar (Sex Education), Tamzin Merchant (Carnival Row) and features a score by Craig Potter of Elbow.
More than 60 postgraduate and undergraduate students worked on Running Naked which was shot in and around Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire University during the summer of 2018 but the film’s release was delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The film has already screened at Beijing and Portland International Film festivals and following the premiere it will be released internationally on the 8 February via Itunes, Sky Box office, and Amazon.
Andy added: “We wanted to make an independent British film with a heart and hope that Running Naked brings a positive and hopeful message to anyone whose life has been touched by the cancer.
“The project is an amazing example of how the University’s resources can be used to create a professional feature film which is now being distributed across the world – something that is invaluable to our students as they forge their careers in the industry.”
Running Naked will be premiered online via ‘OurScreen’ on Thursday 4 February at 8.00pm, tickets £5.
The screening will be followed by an exclusive Q&A with the film's cast and crew – find more information and book your ticket here or view the trailer here.