YouTube Originals has unveiled its 2021 up-and-coming UK programming slate that includes a new film featuring England manager Gareth Southgate.
Zig Zag productions’ Raise Your Game with Gareth Southgate documentary is launching in June ahead of Euro 2020.
This feature documentary will provide an insight into England manager, Gareth Southgate. Alongside Gareth, a stellar line up of YouTube creators ChrisMD, SV2, Yung Filly, and StuntPegg will explore his life lessons, his career journey, and his ambitions – not just for the immediate future of English football at Euro 2020, but far beyond that.
Each YouTube creator story will break off from Gareth’s intimate interview to tell a tale of an inspirational young person in the UK, linking back to one of his three core motivational beliefs of “Be Kind, Be Brave, and Follow Your Dreams”. Each story will demonstrate how Gareth’s philosophies are being realised in the real-world, whilst highlighting how young people across the country are raising their game to not only make a difference within grassroots football, but their wider communities too.
The film culminates at St George’s Park – the home of England’s national football teams ‒ as the YouTube Creators come to meet Gareth for an epic finale.
Commenting on the launch of the documentary, England manager, Gareth Southgate said “Ahead of this year’s Euros, I want to celebrate and shine a light on the inspirational work of so many young people across our country.
“It has been a tough and challenging time for so many people and it continues to be. There are so many more important things in life than football, but I want to show the role that our national game can play in our lives and how it can be a real force for good for so many.
“There is no doubt that football can be used to positively help improve mental health and wellbeing. This has been evident throughout the pandemic and is especially important as lockdown restrictions are eased and grassroots sports comes back to our communities.”
The film is directed by Jacob Proud and Greg Hardes of Burning Flag films. The Producer is Madeleine Sanderson of Curate Films and Series Producer is Dan Riley.
Exec produced by Zig Zag productions’ Danny Fenton and Matt Graff, ‘Raise Your Game with Gareth Southgate’ launches this June on YouTube.
Danny Fenton, Founder at Zig Zag productions said, ‘‘We’re incredibly proud to produce such an inspirational project which couldn’t be more pertinent at a time when the nation needs uplifting stories. Working alongside Gareth and the team has been an absolute joy and we can’t wait to showcase the true role of the beautiful game within society.”
The new content also includes The Outsiders from director Simon Frederick, which “paints a raw and unfiltered picture of life in today’s society as a person of colour.”
The series is based on “intimate, frank interviews” about how young UK Black people “are turning the tables on the very same society that initially rejected them, fighting back against the status quo, and overcoming adversity to become the luminaries of our time.”
The series features a line up of YouTube creators, actors, artists, musicians, creatives, and authors from the UK and across the globe. The UK line-up includes Reni Eddo-Lodge, Mo Gilligan, Clara Amfo, Campbell Addy, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jamal Edwards, Fenn O’Meally, Candice Brathwaite, Sophie Duker, Suli Breaks, Chidera Eggerue, Julie Adenuga, Alex Scott, MNEK, Munya Chawawa, Celeste, George the Poet, Eunice Olumide, Niko Omilana, Jeremy Lynch, Jordan Stephens, Dumi Oburota, Vanessa Kingori, Rachel Ama, Chanel Ambrose and Ncuti Gatwa.
The production company is Atelier Frederick/AFL Films. Introduced, directed and exec produced by Simon Frederick.
Also on the new slate is Seat At The Table with YouTube creator and leading young voice in climate change awareness, Jack Harries, as he paints a truly global picture of the climate emergency. To kick off the series, Jack meets with Sir David Attenborough to discuss the key environmental issues facing our planet in 2021, his mission for the series, and the urgency for action.
Jon Creamer
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