Inspiring Documentary Discovers How Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski Went From Prisoner to PhD

Presence director Mat Hale has shot a compelling short documentary film about a former prisoner who started with no qualifications, studied to PhD level whilst inside and is now a lecturer. Stephen Akpabio-Klementowski tells the extraordinary and powerful story of how he transformed his life through education. It was commissioned by the BBC and made in partnership with The Open University.

Danny Fleet, EP and founder at Presence, says: “Mat Hale did a fantastic job of telling Stephen’s story whilst shooting, editing and posting through the challenges of lockdown. Unable to film in Prison’s due to Covid-19, Mat found clever ways to tell the story with limited resources. He has a fascinating process of working with a dramaturge to give the story form whilst retaining Stephen’s own words. It’s a truly inspirational film.”

The film is featured on the front page of the BBC news website today.