EKC Group lecturer scoops two awards for skateboarding documentary with no funding

A lecturer at East Kent Colleges Group (EKC Group) has scooped two prestigious awards for a documentary he created with no funding.

Watch: EKC Group lecturer scoops two awards for skateboarding documentary with no funding

Hazeleigh Prebble, a media lecturer at EKC Broadstairs College and EKC Folkestone College, co-directed Community – Margate Skate Documentary alongside Matthew Murphy.

The documentary highlights the significance of the skateboarding community in Margate, focusing on both its impact on the town and the creativity that the sport fosters.

“The whole way people look at skateboarding is really bizarre,” Hazeleigh said.

“People think you’re a nuisance, but it’s actually the complete opposite. Anyone can be a skateboarder—I’ve got friends who are scientists, artists—it’s all about creativity.

“It’s quite crazy how much a skate park can influence the local community because it brings so many people together.”

The documentary began as a passion project during the summer, with Hazeleigh and Matthew balancing their day jobs while working on it.

“Originally, Matthew wanted to do some social media reels and videos about mental health in skateboarding and the community,” Hazeleigh explained.

“It kind of just evolved from there. I suggested maybe we should make this a longer format, and we decided to try and delve into what the skateboarding community is within Margate and why we need a skate park.

“The film itself was no funding whatsoever, no money involved. It was just kind of a passion project of me and Matt.”

Despite having no funding, their hard work paid off after the documentary was handed two awards: Best British Director for Short Documentary at the London Directors Awards, and Best Director for Documentary and Cinematography at Feel The Reel International Film Festival.

Hazeleigh emphasised the importance of this recognition for his students.

“It’s nice to be recognised and it’s nice for my students to realise, actually, you don’t necessarily have to have all the best equipment or money or funding,” the 35-year-old said.

“It is literally, get a camera, find something you’re really interested in, get out and do it. You can’t just sit around and wait. You need to go out and do stuff.”

A passionate skateboarder since the age of 12, Hazeleigh is especially excited about Margate’s future skatepark.

“We’ve always wanted a skatepark in Margate,” he said.

“Being part of the sport for so long, it’s nice to be able to give back to your passion and what you love.

“The skateboarders, quad skaters, and BMXers—they’re such a happy, embracing group who want to help, want to show people there’s no gatekeeping. It’s not like ‘this is ours and that’s it’.”

He went on to credit skateboarding for much of his personal and professional success.

“If it wasn’t for skateboarding, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. It’s given me friends for life,” he said.

Looking ahead, Hazeleigh and Matthew plan to revisit the subject with a follow-up documentary, focusing on the skateboarding community in Margate about a year after the new skatepark opens.

Community – Margate Skate Documentary is available to watch for free on YouTube.