Experiencing Interruptions?

Meet The Metahumans

An original short live-action part animated sci-fi satire with an 80's/90's styled original soundtrack, Meet The Metahumans explores themes of trust, manipulation, games and grief in the age of advanced technology. Examining the complex relationship between humans and ego-driven artificial intelligence - ours are called Cosmo and Max who have an irresistible God complex with a hunger to take over the world.

  • Sam Downie
    Key Cast
    "Max"
  • Michael Smith
    Key Cast
    "Cosmo"
  • Laura Evans
    Key Cast
    "Voice of Game Over"
  • Michael Smith
    Writer
    Dawn of the Dark Fox
  • Sam Downie
    Writer
    Uniquely Human
  • Michael Smith
    Animation
    Dawn of the Dark Fox
  • Michael Smith
    Original Artwork
    A Moment of your Time, Dawn of The Dark Fox
  • Sam Downie
    Dolby Atmos Soundtrack Designer
    Dolby Atmos, Mix Engineer at Universal Music Group (uk)
  • Sam Downie
    Editor
  • Dolby Laboratories
    Special Thanks
    Jaws, Start Wars, Back To The Future, Dune, Tron, Thor
  • Sam Downie
    Director
  • Michael Smith
    Director
  • Sam Downie
    Producer
  • Michael Smith
    Producer
    Dawn of the Dark Fox
  • Sam Downie
    Music Composer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Documentary, Feature, Short
  • Genres:
    Independent, low-budget, satire, music, cinematic, video games, retro gaming, comedy, science fiction, fantasy, live action, animation, documentry
  • Runtime:
    40 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 27, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Test Screening at The Watershed, Bristol
    Bristol
    United Kingdom
    July 5, 2023
Distribution Information
  • Dsoundz Films
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights, Airline, Theatrical
Director Biography - Sam Downie, Michael Smith

About The Filmmakers :

Sam Downie and Michael Smith are two mid-career critically acclaimed Disabled Filmmakers, from Bristol, SW England. Both filmmakers have over 15+ years of industry experience. We are joined by Laura Evans who plays the voice of Game Over. Our previous short films have been Screened at : Sheffield Doc-Fest, Encounters Film Festival, The ICA in London and The Watershed in Bristol. Some of Sam's films have screened in Wellington, New Zealand.

We are members of disabled led film industry groups FWD-Doc and 1IN4 Coalition, who work alongside film studios in the UK and the USA to champion disabled creators/filmmakers like us.

Sam Downie

Sam is a 2x BAFTA Nominated Actor/Producer and more recently has become a verified Dolby Atmos mix engineer by Universal Music Group (uk). Sam is Autistic and has a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis.

Sam's recent clients include : Channel 4 (First Cuts), DOLBY Labs, Universal Music Group, Abbey Road Studios and Weta Digital (New Zealand).

Michael Smith

Michael is a Celebrated Hand drawn Digital Artist, Animator and Voice Artist. Michael is Autistic.

Clients include : Film 104, Biggerhouse Film, BFI, BBC Radio

Laura Evans

Laura is a talented Voice Over Artist, who is Autistic, and this is her first film.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

About the Film :

From an Original Story developed by two mid-career Independent Film Producers & Actors, Sam Downie and Michael Smith, who are joined by Laura Evans - we bring you a Satire, and a tribute to the family and friends we lost during the pandemic.

Sam say's " As one of the co-directors on Meet The Metahumans, having the opportunity to use motion caping and creating the soundtrack Immersive first is truly invaluable. It’s not just about refining the film; it’s also about connecting with the audience, understanding their reactions, and ensuring that our story resonates deeply. "

Meet The Metahumans – is a live action part-animated low-budget Independent Film. Its a fantasy and a satirical look at the cross divide between Humanity, Video-Gaming and the craziness of Artificial Intelligence and egos.

Our film is Open Captioned (with Subtitles) .

The project was started before the pandemic, but wound up being shaped by it. When the pandemic hit and friends and family were affected by the virus and who sadly passed away at young ages, we changed our vision for the film and took some time out. We wanted to focus on the subject of the pandemic and grief but we didn’t want to do it in the same way that other filmmakers and TV documentaries were doing at that time. We wanted to tell our story differently, so we continued with our characters, the Metahumans, and made them the egomaniacs of our satire.

The human characters journey takes them from Bristol to London, eventually reaching the National Covid Memorial Wall that's opposite Parliament in London, a fitting tribute to our loved ones.

In addition to the storyline’s novel approach to tackling the subject of grief, the film also boasts authentic original 1980's music soundtrack inspired by the music and retro video games of the time, and mixed in Dolby Atmos.

Trailer Review Comment :

Jerry Rees - Computer Graphics Choreography Unit, Tron (1982) / Walt Disney Films.

“Sam, thanks for sending the new Trailer. I also took a look at the BTS video of you and Michael discussing the film project. It's got a retro-cool style that brings back many fun memories, of working on Tron. I look forward to watching the film, and seeing more..."

Other Meet The Metahumans Film Credits :

Film Funded by : British Film Institute, The Film+TV Charity
Supported by : Unreal Engine / Epic Games, Dean St Studios, Wounded Buffalo Sound Studios.
Immersive Sound Design and Music Supported by : DOLBY Laboratories + DOLBY Institute.