Award-Winning Filmmaker Creates Documentary on Retro Gaming

A Staffordshire University student has received high praise for his documentary on the retro gaming revolution. Kyle Adams’ film “Retro Revolution – The Game isn’t Over” was honored with the ‘Best Short Documentary’ award at the Northampton Film Festival.

The BA (Hons) Film Production student was a finalist at his hometown’s event, where filmmakers from all over the country were represented. The awards ceremony took place at Northampton Cineworld, with winning films showcased on the big screen.

“It was an incredible experience to win the award for Best Short Documentary at Northampton Film Festival for a project that I directed, produced, and edited,” remarked the 21-year-old student. “Being back in my hometown to celebrate films, especially those from the Midlands, was surreal. Seeing my film screened at the cinema I grew up going to was a special moment.”

Kyle’s documentary delves into classic arcade games from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and highlights the individuals who are preserving these games for future generations to enjoy. Despite the apparent obsolescence of these games after the arcade’s heyday, there are enthusiasts devoted to restoring classic game machines like Pac-man and Galaga.

“This film was a passion project of mine that I had been wanting to create for some time. Everything fell into place last year, and with a lot of hard work, I was able to bring it to life. I learned a great deal from the experience,” Kyle shared.

Acknowledging the collaborative nature of filmmaking, Kyle expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project. He also thanked the lecturers and technical experts at Staffordshire University for their ongoing support.

Colin Mottram, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Film Production, expressed pride in Kyle’s achievement, emphasizing the university’s commitment to helping students showcase their work beyond the campus. The opportunity to participate in film festivals and competitions allows students to showcase their talents to potential employers and creative partners.

Overall, Kyle and his team’s dedication and hard work on the project were rewarded with the prestigious award, demonstrating the talent and creativity nurtured within the university’s Film Production program.