Overview
This is a deeply personal short film Oli directed, shot, and edited about his mother. Created as both a tribute and a tool for awareness, the film humanises the realities of living with brain cancer and the ripple effect it has on families.
The film was released alongside a charity ball and screened on location to raise funds for brain cancer research. The event brought together friends, family, and supporters, turning a personal story into a collective moment of reflection, solidarity, and action.
At its core, this project explores love, resilience, and legacy – using film to spark conversation and encourage support for a cause that affects so many.
Impact
- Helped raise over £200K for charity
- Raised awareness for brain cancer research through emotionally driven storytelling
- Supported fundraising efforts for Brain Tumour Focus, a charity co-founded by Oli Crossland and his mum
- A personal yet shareable film that resonated across digital and social platforms
- Strengthened emotional engagement around the charity ball and its mission
- Demonstrated the power of intimate, human-led storytelling beyond commercial work
Our Approach
This film was approached with sensitivity, honesty, and restraint. Rather than overproducing the story, the focus was on creating space for emotion to exist naturally, allowing moments, expressions, and silence to carry meaning.
Visually, the film leans into a cinematic but unobtrusive style: three-point lighting interviews, close framing, and considered pacing. The direction was guided by authenticity over performance, ensuring the story felt truthful and grounded.
As both director and camera operator, Oli maintained a close, instinctive connection to the subject matter, allowing the film to unfold in an intimate and respectful way.
What we delivered:
- Short documentary film (16x9)
- Cut-down assets for sharing and fundraising promotion
- End-to-end production: concept development, direction, filming, and editing
Production team: Director, Cam Op, Editor
The Result
The final film is a quiet but powerful portrait of strength, love, and vulnerability. Through carefully chosen visuals and pacing, it invites viewers into a personal story while connecting it to a wider cause.
Released alongside the charity ball, the film created emotional context for the event and encouraged audiences to engage, share, and donate, helping to raise over £200K for Brain Tumour Focus.
Credits
Director: Oli Crossland
Link to donate:
https://braintumourfocus.com/
