Big Picture Film Club’s documentary Fighters took an important step in its impact campaign this week with a special screening in the UK Parliament (1 September 2025), followed by a roundtable on how to accelerate visibility and inclusion in sport. Hosted by Labour MP Henry Tufnell, the event brought together policymakers, sector leaders and advocates to discuss practical routes to recognition and support for disability boxing and disability sport more widely.
At the heart of the film—and the parliamentary conversation—is Chris McEwen, founder of Great Britain Disability Boxing (GBDB), whose work in Pembrokeshire has demonstrated how accessible boxing programmes change lives. “I want to thank Henry Tufnell MP and Meg Richards for their support in bringing Fighters to Parliament,” McEwen said. “This screening is an incredible opportunity to highlight the progress being made in building a more inclusive community.”
The post-screening discussion featured Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson (Chair of Sport Wales, Paralympic legend) and Kim Leadbeater MP (representing the Department for Sport), focusing on recognition pathways, safeguarding, funding frameworks and how grassroots clubs can be embedded in local health and inclusion strategies. Following the film’s June theatrical release, this parliamentary moment marks a new phase for Fighters—moving from awareness to policy influence. (A Welsh Parliament/Senedd screening is also confirmed for the coming months.)
Directed and produced by Michael Grimmett and Jack Tompkins, Fighters follows Matt Edwards, a lower-limb amputee boxer fighting to secure his amateur license—and, in doing so, confronting the systemic barriers disabled people face every day. Alongside McEwen, the film includes contributions from Baroness Grey-Thompson, Jodie Ounsley (Gladiators), Peter Hull MBE, Isaac Harvey MBE and others—showcasing a coalition of athletes and advocates pushing for change.
For Big Picture Film Club, Fighters embodies our mission: to connect films with audiences and turn conversation into action. As the film continues screenings and stakeholder engagements, we’ll share updates on measurable outcomes—club referrals, policy commitments and funding wins—stemming from the dialogue it has sparked.
