Imaginary Man Productions is a documentary filmmaking company dedicated to exploring powerful human narratives through authentic and compassionate storytelling. Founded and directed by Sam Pope, the production company creates thought-provoking documentaries that shed light on important social issues and unique community experiences.
Our approach to filmmaking goes beyond mere documentation. We strive to create meaningful connections, amplify unheard voices, and provide intimate insights into extraordinary stories that often go unseen. Each film is a testament to our commitment to empathy, understanding, and the power of human experience.
On a quiet backstreet of an English city, “The Little Cinema in Gloucester” chronicles two transformative days in the summer of 2023 when audiences flocked to the Sherborne Cinema for the releases of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. This cherished single-screen community venue embodies the struggles facing independent cinemas across the UK, grappling with changing audience habits due to online streaming and the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Owner Mark, a dedicated projectionist, reflects on his love for cinema and its vital role in uniting the community during these challenging times. Front-of-house staff member Sammy shares her perspective, capturing the vibrant atmosphere reignited by these screenings and emphasizing the urgent need to protect cinemas like the Sherborne.
As the Sherborne Cinema prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025, this short documentary stands as a heartfelt tribute to resilience, the joy of film, and the enduring bonds formed in the shared experience of cinema. It serves as a reminder that if we don’t cherish and support our local theaters, we may lose them forever.’
CREDITS
Director, Cinematographer, Producer
Samuel Pope
Composer, Producer
Tom Crawford
Editor
Katherine Glynne-Jones
Festival Official Selections
Gloucester Independent film festival (premier)
April 12th 2025.
Nottingham Film Festival
November 3rd 2025.
Margate Film Festival
November 26th 2025
Bedford Documentary Film Festival
October 11th 2025.
Cardiff Mini Film Festival
January 18th 2026.
Stroud Film Festival
March 7th 2026.
Indie Leeds
March 20th 2026.
Oxford Shorts
April 10th 2026.
The Working Class Film Festival
May 8th 2026.
Black Dog Way is a poignant documentary filmed over a span of four years, it takes us into the heart of a crisis many would prefer to ignore. It chronicles the poignant journey of Steve, who, at the age of 49, found himself homeless in the winter of 2016, following a devastating family tragedy. This is not just Steve’s story; it’s emblematic of a staggering reality—219,000 people in England face homelessness each year, each with their own narrative of struggle and resilience which the film has sort to capture on the streets of Gloucester.
Steve’s experience is one of painful circumstance and haunting memories. As he navigated the labyrinthine support system, he became acutely aware of its fundamental flaws, the barriers that trap the vulnerable in a seemingly endless cycle of despair. Yet, rather than succumbing to bitterness, Steve emerged determined to enact change. He transformed his personal ordeal into a powerful advocacy for those who remain voiceless, asking for nothing in return but a fairer system. In his quest, alongside the passionate community of Gloucester, Steve embodies an unwavering hope—an insistence that things can and must improve.
“Black Dog Way” is not merely a documentary; it is a clarion call for empathy and reform, urging us all to reflect on our collective responsibility to those in need. In this film, we witness not just a struggle, but the indomitable spirit of humanity, making it a vital watch for anyone who believes in the power of compassion and action.
CREDITS
Director / Cinematographer
Samuel Pope
Producer
Samuel Pope
Tom Crawford
Executive Producer
Thomas Newton
River Driver-Sharp
Editor
Katherine Glynne-Jones
Composer
Dean Jones
Post Production
Tom Crawford
Additional Cinematography
Paul Daly
That’s right, showing at the very cinema it portrays, ‘The Little Cinema in Gloucester’ is coming home to The Sherborne Cinema. In association with Stroud Film Festival, the film will be part of a fantastic array of short documentaries on community, time and resilience. Includes ‘Beating The Bounds’ by Emlyn Bainbridge, ‘A Film about Dad’ by Joe Murphy and Mirrors by Paul Daly. Sunday 7th June 6pm, tickets £8. BOOK TICKETS
“So, you can imagine our pleasure when friend of the pod, writer and director Sam Pope from Imaginary Man Productions, shared his latest short film with us. ‘The Little Cinema In Gloucester’, it’s a documentary celebrating the independent cinema The Sherborne based in Gloucester in the UK…”
“Director Sam Pope and Producer Tom Crawford discuss their truly heartwarming documentary ‘The Little Cinema in Gloucester’ which premiered at the Gloucester Independent Film Festival! The documentary takes the audience to the Sherborne Cinema – a tiny building filled with enormous passion – and introduces you to the wonderful people behind it, Mark and Sammy.”
“Black Dog Way, a feature-length documentary filmed in Gloucester, is the debut of Stroud director Sam Pope. The film focuses on the pressing issue of homelessness. The story is set around protagonist Steve Gower and his encounter with homelessness, whilst exposing the viewers to both those that work with those that find themselves homeless and the real lives of those that experience homelessness in Gloucester.”
Sam Pope discusses the origins and the formative process behind the film and why he loves the documentary format so much.