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KEEP DANSON! Dominic Danson was presented with his award by editor in chief Adam Duckworth at Pro Moviemaker’s offices
MPB BACKS FILMMAKING TALENT Used kit specialist MPB is the official title sponsor of Filmmaker of the Year 2025 – a fitting partnership, as the brand champions new and emerging filmmakers. MPB is the world’s largest platform for buying, selling and trading used photo and video gear, making high-end equipment more accessible and more sustainable. With offices in the UK, US and Europe, MPB stocks a wide range of lenses, cinema cameras, mirrorless systems, camcorders and accessories – and it’s all professionally inspected, photographed and graded before going live on its streamlined website. Customers can buy or sell confidently, and know exactly what they’re getting – or how much they’re getting for their kit. By backing Filmmaker of the Year, MPB demonstrates its commitment to new talent and a sustainable industry.
everything. When the story, visuals and commitment all align, it just works.” Story is everything for Danson. “If there’s no story, it doesn’t matter how nice it looks. You can have amazing sound, perfect colour and gorgeous visuals, but if there’s no substance it’s just fluff. A good story is what holds attention.” The goal now is to fund and create more episodes of Forty Minutes With , potentially make the leap into documentary and continue working in branded storytelling. “There are so many stories out there – from real people and companies – that haven’t been told. That’s the stuff I love. Fiction is great, but real life is weirder, funnier and more emotional.” Despite Danson’s modesty, there’s no hiding how much the award means to him. “Everyone says it’s not about awards and, sure, it is about the work. But honestly, it’s really nice. It’s validation – not just for me, but the kind of content we believe in. Getting it from Pro Moviemaker , which understands the industry inside-out, that’s huge.” With a unique tone, cinematic craft and a belief in letting people speak for themselves, Danson proves that longer, more thoughtful content is still relevant. In this age of scrollable soundbites and 30-second TikToks, that’s something truly worth celebrating.
loves short films. “But interviews let you dig deeper into people and ideas,” he says. It’s that authenticity, that subtle confidence in the subject matter, that makes Forty Minutes With so compelling. “I genuinely think long-form content is about to make a comeback. We’ve been trained to consume everything in two- minute bursts, but the more that happens, the more people are going to crave real conversations. Stuff that breathes.” It helps that the team takes production values seriously – using Aputure lights, mics from Rode, Comica and Hollyland, plus Atomos monitors and recorders to maximise quality without unnecessary complexity. AF lenses such as the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM keep solo shooting practical. “You don’t need a massive crew,” he explains. “If you understand your gear, you can get beautiful results with a small, smart team. That’s what Forty Minutes With is built on.” Even with their professional output, the passion projects haven’t stopped. His previous film I Am Nowhere – a haunting, beautifully shot short written by Samuel Adams and lensed by their go-to DOP Jake Davies – is proof of that, and won our Future Filmmaker award two years ago. “It hit a nerve,” says Danson. “It was made for peanuts, but everyone brought
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