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Our Vision
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a supportive and inclusive environment where young people can explore their cultural identities, build confidence, and develop a wide range of skills. Through the project, we aim to celebrate the rich tradition of martial arts cinema, foster cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to a safer, more cohesive society.
PROJECT TEAM
PROJECT TEAM
Dr. Wayne Wong
Dr. Wayne Wong
Project Lead
Dr. Wayne Wong is a lecturer in East Asian Studies specializing in the global martial arts cinema industry, aesthetics, and philosophy. As the principal investigator, he brings extensive academic expertise and a passion for martial arts cinema to the project. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Asian Cinema, Global Media and China, Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, Archiv Orientální, and Martial Arts Studies. He has also contributed chapters in edited volumes such as Fighting Stars: Stardom and Reception in Hong Kong Martial Arts Cinema, The Cinema of Stephen Chow, Afro-Futurism in Black Panther, and The Worlds of John Wick. He is currently an editor of the Martial Arts Studies journal. See more details here.
Soo Cole
Soo Cole
Project Co-lead
Soo Cole, the founder and director of the Fighting Spirit Film Festival UK, is an accomplished martial artist and actress, known for her role as Novice Warrior in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022). Her extensive network of martial arts filmmakers, stunt teams, and practitioners is invaluable to the project’s success. See more details here.
Jeongwon Lee
Jeongwon Lee
Project Assistant
Jeongwon (Vivianna) is a PhD student at the School of East Asian Studies (SEAS) and the Centre for Korean Studies at the University of Sheffield. Her research interest lies in community collaboration for cultural engagement and community-based cultural activities, particularly within the East Asian diaspora. Drawing on her academic background and expertise in language and cultural studies, as well as anthropological and sociological approaches, she assists Project Sifu by helping to design and support initiatives that foster cross-cultural understanding and connections between diverse communities.
Chuen Ngai
Chuen Ngai
Assistant Videographer
Chuen Ngai (Sam) is a film and video producer passionate about visual storytelling. I have two years of experience producing YouTube content, focusing on mid- to post-production, including camera work, audio recording, lighting, editing, and color grading. I also worked at the Chinese University of Hong Kong for three consecutive years, where I produced three documentary projects annually, primarily managing mid- to post-production tasks. My experience equips me with the skills needed to bring creative projects to life, ensuring high-quality production from concept to final cut.
Kirk Bytheway
Kirk Bytheway
Martial Arts Coach
Kirk Bytheway (GRINNER) is one of the coaches at Unrivalled Mixed Martial Arts with over 30 years experience in martial arts and combat sports including training, teaching and competing in Full Contact Karate, Kickboxing, Submission Grappling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Catch-as-catch-can Wrestling and Judo and is the lead grading examiner for the Unrivalled Kickboxing Academy, main coach of the Unrivalled Wrestling Club and a cornerman to Unrivalled athletes at local BJJ tournaments and MMA interclubs. Previously he dedicated his teenage years to the performance aspect of Sport Karate being involed in Tricking and Creative Forms (with and without weapons) and in 2008 was CIMAC Superleague World Cup Grand Champion, WAKO British Champion, ISKA UK Champion, WKA English Champion and a competitor and junior national team coach at the WAKO World Championships held in Naples, Italy.
PARTNERS
PARTNERS
Matt Routledge
Matt Routledge
Matt Routledge has been actively acting, directing and producing Martial Arts Media since his first ‘Nunchaku Instructional Video’ back in 1992. In 1997 he completed a degree course which saw him make two half hour martial arts films Net Chaser and Rush Hour. After working in the industry for well-known companies such as Mersey Television, Granada Television and Sony Entertainment, he returned to making martial arts films. These include the internationally acclaimed short film The Car Wash in 2000 and two TV films, Fist of Justice (2005) and Crazy in Love (2004).
By now an experienced stuntman/ choreographer and action director, Matt relocated to Thailand where he worked with Jackie Chan on The Medallion (2003) and action director on Menahem Golan’s last ever martial arts film Final Combat (2003).
Honing his skills as a 'Director of Photography' since then, Matt has now moved back into the Director's chair for the award winning martial arts short film Fixer (2016) and most recently the multi-award winning crime caper drama Manipulation (2018). A short film that has bagged over 17 awards globally in film festivals from Melbourne to New York.
This enabled him to make the feature film Tribal starring Ross O’Hennessey (Game of Thrones) which bagged over 10 awards worldwide including Best Action Choreography at the IDTV Action Fest in Texas and the ‘Best Director’ award for Matt at both the Los Angeles Motion Picture Festival and the UK Motion Picture Festival.
His latest movie is The Awakening, a political thriller that stars Peter Stormare (John Wick 2), Alice Eve (Star Trek Into Darkness) and Steven Berkoff. This is in post-production and due for release in 2025. See more details here.
Sam Mak
Sam Mak
Sam started training Wushu at 4 years old, inspired by the HK movie legends Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee. He's been a member of the British Wushu Team since 2003, was World Junior Champion 2006, finished 4th and 6th in straight sword and spear at the World Championships in 2023.
Sam worked as a stunt performer and actor since 2012, credits including The World’s End (2013), Tomb Raider (2018), Gangs of London (2020). See more details here.
Tomás Paredes
Tomás Paredes
Tomás Paredes is known for No Time to Die (2021), The Batman (2022) and Morbius (2022). He is trained in combat, holding several martial a black belt in arts. He is proficient in handling weapons and firearms, as well as bladed weapons, and short and long-distance weapons. Additionally, he is a mountain climbing instructor, IRATA certified, and skilled in fencing and theatrical sword fighting. See more details here.
SPONSORs
SPONSORs
School of East Asian Studies
The School was originally established in 1963, since then, they have expanded dramatically to become one of the biggest departments of its kind in Europe based on a continuing and shared passionate belief in the importance of East Asia as the most dynamic region in the world. See more details here.
The festival aims to entertain and inspire people, promote martial arts culture, and support those who have chosen it as a career. See more details here.
Geez a Gi is a non-profit organization based in Glasgow, Scotland, and their mission is to make martial arts accessible to all. See more details here.
Mixed Martial Arts in the heart of Steel City. See more details here.
How to GET INVOLVED?
How to GET INVOLVED?
We invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Whether you’re a young person looking to participate, a community member interested in volunteering, or an organization eager to collaborate, there are many ways to get involved. If you're interested, please click the button below.
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