The documentary was designed to give Margate’s skate community “a chance to speak for themselves….”

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A brand new documentary looking at the skate scene in Margate, Kent, has been released today.

Entitled ‘Community - Margate Skate Documentary’, co-creator Matthew John Murphy said that the documentary explores what it means to be a skater.

“We talk about the challenges some people face, and how skating helps in the world outside of skating. We also delve into inclusion and diversity, what the landscape is like for women and gay skaters.”

The film also looks at the hopes for the future of skating in the area, with the quest for the new, Olympic-level skate park proposed for Margate coming to a head.

The documentary was a collaboration between Matthew John Murphy and Hazeleigh Prebble (pictured), in association with Skate Pharm and Margate Skateboard Club.

Matthew trained as a graphic designer but has always had a love for photography and video. Later in life he found cinematography and moving image a powerful way to share the stories of others. Meanwhile, Hazeleigh’s career has spanned 14 years working in various rolls in the camera and AD department with sprinkles of directing along the way.

During his career he began to reflect on his education in film, and felt as though he had been let down. As a result he decided to go on and teach others the craft, which he has, by teaching students at Broadstairs and Folkestone college. His students have gone on to work on feature film, shorts, music videos and more for huge clients.

Both Matt and Haze were born in Margate, and have lived in the surrounding towns for most of their lives. Matt skated when he was younger, (and can do a kickflip 33% of the time), while Haze has been a part of the Thanet skate scene since he was young.

We caught up with them to find out a bit more.

Why did you create the documentary?

Matt was approach by Nic Powley, a prominent figure in UK skateboarding and owner of Skate Pharm in Margate, to produce some interviews with skaters for social media reels to find out what skateboarding meant to them, and to raise some awareness of the skatepark that is due to be built on the Margate coastline. Matt agreed and contacted Hazeleigh for assistance, who suggested that perhaps they go further and produce a documentary film.

There was no goal for the documentary, but after a year of interviews with members of the local skateboard scene a narrative emerged. One of life skills, challenges, exclusivity, inclusivity, friendships and community.

What is the key premise behind the doc?

In the beginning there was no premise. Only a question… what does it mean to be a skater? As the interviews progressed it became clear that skating is a transformative sport. Many of the people we interviewed believed it helped them grow into the people they are.

This complexity presented a challenge... As filmmakers, how can we say what it means to be a skater when the impact is so unique? We couldn’t, we could only give the community a chance to speak for themselves.

Over the course of a year we started to notice similar themes unfold, but no matter the theme, the importance of skating for each individual could not be overstated. In some instances, some owed their lives to the sport.

And whilst each individual has a unique relationship with the skates or board, there is also a collective appreciation of the challenges and benefits of skating in the form of a community. A community that builds friendships, careers and character. One that has not always been accessible to all, but for many within it, wants to be.

From what we have discovered and produced, we hope to show the human side to a group that has been heavily stereotyped and to highlight the importance of a free Olympic-level skatepark in Margate, the good it could do and lives it could change.