Story-driven filmmaking for brands with something to say.
Lean, agile production for creative teams who need craft without the overhead.
Who I am & how I work
I’m Joel, a filmmaker and digital strategist focused on story-driven video.
For over a decade I’ve helped brands and creative teams bring their ideas to life through narrative-rich film. At Envato, I led the growth of a global YouTube channel to 1.6M+ subscribers, producing crafted educational films that inspired millions and built a loyal community.
Today I work with brands and agencies who want more than a glossy video. They want a creative partner who can uncover the human story behind the brief, shape it with clarity, and deliver it with calm, reliable precision. My work blends documentary storytelling, brand thinking and lean production, giving clients high-impact films without complexity or large crews.
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A creative partner, not a junior supplier. For when the story matters, the message is subtle, or the subject is complex.
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Not content for content’s sake. I make stories that cut through because they’re rooted in people, place and purpose.
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My background in both filmmaking and digital operations means fast, efficient production without sacrificing craft.
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Whether it’s a heritage pig farm at dawn or a whisky distillery in the Highlands, I deliver consistently, calmly and with total respect for the people in front of the lens.
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With years of experience crafting audience-first films, I understand the bigger picture, brand, campaign, channel, and the wider experience ecosystem.
Work
FT Studio X The Glenlivet
Film work on two poetic visual stories by FT Studio for The Glenlivet:
Client
FT Studio
Year
2025
Creative Team
Artists—Fredrikson Stallard
Creative Director—Samuel Moppet
Exec—Úna Curran
Photography—Simon Bray
Film—Joel Bankhead
MANGALITZA
A character-led documentary film that tells the story of Penlan Heritage Breeds and Mangalitza pigs in the UK.
Client
Old Friends Films
Year
2025
Creative Team
Directed, Produced & Edited—Joel Bankhead & Simon Bray
Post Production—Joel Bankhead
Original Music—S. J. Bray
Kopparberg
A short documentary promo for a new mural unveiled in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in 2022.
Client
Kopparberg
Year
2023
Creative Team
Film—Joel Bankhead
Editing & Post Production—Joel Bankhead
Artist Portrait
A short film created in collaboration with Mark Prince exploring artist Laura Pedley’s mission to bring peace, hope and connection to our world through her beautiful paintings.
Through intimate visuals and a reflective tone, we captured her creative process and explored how she uses her art to communicate sincerity and stillness.
Client
Laura Pedley
Year
2025
Creative Team
Film & Editing—Joel Bankhead & Mark Prince
Colour—Mark Prince
