The UK is now home to the first-ever MA in action filmmaking. This cutting-edge programme, MA Feature Filmmaking, has been developed by UK action film studio Action Xtreme, in collaboration with Falmouth University and will launch in September 2025.

Falmouth University is renowned for its creative and innovative approach to higher education. Consistently ranking among the top universities for arts and media in the UK, Falmouth places an emphasis on working with industry partners.

For this MA in Feature Filmmaking, the course has been developed with UK action studio, Action Xtreme. This exciting new production and distribution company has three movies in post production and due to come to cinemas during 2025. These include The Experiment, starring Famke Janssen and Rhona Mitra; Bad Day at the Office starring John Hannah and Radha Mitchell; and Son of the Soil starring Razaaq Adoti with more in development.

Train, Create & Real World Distribute in One Course

The innovative MA Feature Filmmaking programme, combines real-world experience with the latest educational techniques to address the challenges faced by emerging talent in a highly competitive industry. Students will go beyond theory and create a full length feature film by the time they graduate, which will then be distributed globally by Action Xtreme.

The MA in Feature Filmmaking goes beyond traditional academic models. Recognising the barriers that aspiring filmmakers face, the programme offers an unparalleled focus on practical experience. Over a transformative 45 weeks, students will develop, produce and deliver a feature-length action film - gaining invaluable insight into the complete filmmaking process, from conception to global distribution.

“We wanted to create a course that equips students with more than just knowledge,” says Cheung. “This programme is about real-world learning, giving them the chance to immerse themselves in the industry and graduate with a feature film credit to their name. It’s a true game-changer for those serious about making their mark in action cinema.”

The programme leverages the institution’s industry leading facilities and expertise in film production. Falmouth’s Sound/Image Cinema Lab has already been instrumental in the creation of numerous acclaimed films, and this collaboration builds on its legacy of fostering innovative and inclusive filmmaking practices.

Key Creative Figures of the Course

MA Feature Filmmaking has been created by British-Chinese filmmaker and Action Xtreme CEO Chee Keong Cheung; Noel Goodwin, Talent Development Director of Action Xtreme and former director of the BFI Future Film Festival; and Dr. Kingsley Marshall, Head of the School of Film & Television at Falmouth University. The MA will be delivered at the Penryn Campus in Falmouth, Cornwall, and will be led by figures within the industry.

Action Xtreme: Redefining the Action Film Industry

At the heart of this initiative is Action Xtreme, the UK’s premier action studio founded by award-winning British-Chinese filmmaker Chee Keong Cheung and acclaimed producer Andreas Roald. With a mission to develop grassroots talent, support diverse voices, and elevate the action genre, Action Xtreme is transforming the industry with its unique blend of creativity, innovation and altruism. Its commitment to nurturing new talent lies at the heart of its ethos and is deeply embedded in the MA Feature Filmmaking programme.

Action Xtreme is the genre division of critically acclaimed UK Production and Distribution company Sovereign (Memoria, Triangle of Sadness) founded by producer Andreas Roald.

Having recently completed production on three feature films slated for release in 2025, Action Xtreme is more than a studio - it’s a unique model encompassing training, through to Production, Distribution and Marketing. By nurturing new talent and creating initiatives, such as its recently launched Women in Action Mentorship Programme designed to provide meaningful support to emerging women filmmakers, Action Xtreme exemplifies its commitment to giving back to the industry.

“Action Xtreme’s goal is to not only create thrilling films, but to cultivate an ecosystem where filmmakers thrive,” says CEO Chee Keong Cheung. “This collaboration with Falmouth University furthers our mission of empowering emerging talent with the tools and opportunities to succeed.”

Action Xtreme have also been a key part of the current BFI Film Audience Network Art of Action season, a celebration of the artistry behind real action choreography that has kept film audiences on the edge of their seats since the early days of cinema. Through engaging talks, panel discussions, and masterclasses, Action Xtreme has shared its expertise in crafting thrilling, authentic action scenes, as well as curating talks and inspiring a new generation of filmmakers and film enthusiasts alike in London, Oxford, Falmouth and most recently Northern Ireland at The Foyle Film Festival.

KEY TALENT IN FOCUS

Chee Keong Cheung

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Chee Keong Cheung is an award-winning British-Chinese filmmaker whose work has captivated audiences worldwide. His impressive filmography includes collaborations with talents including Richard Dreyfuss, John Hannah, Radha Mitchell, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen, Michael Madsen and Carlos Gallardo, among others. His impressive portfolio includes writing, directing, producing and distributing and booking films across a range of genres, with a true passion lying in fostering new talent. Cheung has delivered masterclasses at prestigious institutions like the BFI and served on juries for festivals, including the Sci-Fi London 48 Hour Film Challenge, the Fighting Spirit Film Festival and the BFI Future Film Festival. He is also a mentor on the Film London Connect Mentoring Programme.

Cheung graduated from the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, University College in 2004, gaining a First Class Hons and achieving a rare feat by selling his graduation feature film, Crashing the Wake from directors Chris Baugh and Arnstein Dybvik - a milestone that highlighted the challenges young filmmakers face when transitioning from education to industry. Chris Baugh went on to direct the acclaimed Bad Day for The Cut. This experience shaped Chee’s passion for supporting the next generation of emerging talent, for whom securing financing, navigating deals, and understanding distribution are often overwhelming hurdles.

Dr Kingsley Marshall

Dr. Kingsley Marshall, who has crafted MA Feature Filmmaking alongside Chee, is Head of the School of Film & Television at Falmouth University, overseeing over 700 undergraduate students and a diverse postgraduate community. He also serves as an external examiner at Edge Hill University, Edinburgh Napier University and Raindance Film School, and is the Development Lead and Producer within the Sound/Image Cinema Lab at Falmouth University, collaborating on film productions with partners including Film4 and BBC Films, Bosena, Myskatonic, and Early Day Films, who won a BAFTA for the Lab supported Bait.

In addition to his academic roles, Kingsley writes and produces films through his company Myskatonic and has also worked on a number of feature projects, including Enys Men. His research and publications focus on film and television production, and the use of emergent technologies in the screen industries, including as principal investigator on the £1.04m Charismatic project, exploring the creative application of AI in film and television development. He has contributed to various academic collections and journals, including co-editing Philosophical Reflections on Black Mirror.

Kingsley Marshall says: “MA Feature Filmmaking consolidates over a decade of feature film production practice at Falmouth that began in 2010 with the development, production and commercial release of the feature film Weekend Retreat, written and directed by Brett Harvey. These films have involved hundreds of students and graduates in key roles, in addition to our staff. This course adds an innovative and distinctive new offer to the School of Film and Television’s post-graduate taught portfolio, which is cogent to the values of Falmouth University as an institution dedicated to values of inclusion, diversity and equality. We’re particularly proud that this course directly addresses the need for inclusive and diverse talent development in the UK film industry, and the value of new forms of screen education.

Working with Action Xtreme, the course capitalises on existing practices within the department, presenting a model of teaching of filmmaking in ‘real’ environments as a 45-week, one-year MA where the development, production and delivery of a student-initiated feature film in the action-genre forms part of the assessed outcomes for students. This course serves as a flagship and marker of innovation for ongoing creative activity and collaborations within the Sound/Image Cinema Lab, and its place within Falmouth University’s School of Film & Television, and presents a great deal of potential to further reflect this in international research and knowledge exchange.

In addition to collaborating in the delivery of the course, Action Xtreme are committed to take each feature film created within the course to national and/or international distribution. What we share with Action Xtreme is a focus on talent development, promoting new and emergent voices driven by inclusive and diverse values.”

About Falmouth University

Falmouth University is renowned for its creative and innovative approach to higher education, consistently ranking among the top universities for arts and media in the UK. With an emphasis on hands-on learning and industry engagement, Falmouth has a rich history of producing graduates ready to make their mark in the creative industries. Its Sound/Image Cinema Lab has seen staff and students partner in the development and delivery of over a dozen feature film productions over the last decade across a range of genres - including The Severed Sun, Enys Men, The Tape, Long Way Back, Wilderness - in addition to documentary and experimental work. The university’s cutting-edge facilities and inspiring campus environment provide the perfect backdrop for filmmakers to develop their craft. By joining forces with Action Xtreme, Falmouth continues its tradition of empowering students with the skills, knowledge, and real-world experience needed to succeed in a competitive industry.

Empowering the Next Generation of Filmmakers

The MA in Feature Filmmaking reflects Action Xtreme’s broader vision: to revolutionise how action films are made and to provide aspiring filmmakers with opportunities that were once out of reach. By bridging the gap between education and industry, this programme positions its graduates to lead the next wave of action cinema.

At the heart of Action Xtreme’s mission is a bold vision to build a dedicated action genre label, much like Blumhouse has revolutionised the horror genre. By nurturing talent, creating opportunities, and delivering high-quality, action-driven storytelling, Action Xtreme seeks to develop a sustainable ecosystem for the genre. This commitment not only ensures a platform for emerging filmmakers, but also works to grow audiences who crave the visceral excitement and artistry that define action cinema.

With its emphasis on real-world application, inclusive talent development, and a commitment to storytelling that pushes boundaries, Action Xtreme is setting a new standard for the action film industry.

Applications for this groundbreaking MA programme are now open. For Further enquiries:

https://www.falmouth.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/feature-filmmaking