Grandad & The Pier

This beautiful, charming, cinematic documentary captures an ambitious project with over 130 years of history at its foundations.

On a small island in the middle of the Irish sea, a giant derelict pier juts out into the rough sea.

Closed for decades, now the pier is getting a new lease of life thanks to a defiant, social-media savvy elderly population building something for the next generation.

A wind-swept, tea-soaked, heart-warming film about community, hope and leaving a legacy beyond our years.

“It’s the people’s pier!” declares Grandad Biff. “It’s got to survive. We’re going to do it!”

  • Reuben Armstrong
    Director
  • Jamie Neale
    Director of Photography
  • Ciaron Gray
    Drone Pilot
  • Jamie Frye
    Sound Recordist
  • Dave Armstrong
    Sound Recordist
  • Jim Donaldson
    Sound Recordist
  • Jim Burke
    Editor
  • Reuben Armstrong
    Editor
  • Reuben Armstrong
    Animator
  • Jamie Frye
    Colourist
  • Fireater Letterpress
    Title Design
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Community, British
  • Runtime:
    45 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    February 28, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    4,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Isle of Man
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Reuben Armstrong

Reuben is a tall man making short films.

Eclectic and diverse, full of energy, craft and a mixed-media aesthetic, each of his films shine a light on positive stories that make us feel better about the world.

His work has won a Vimeo Staff Pick, a Royal Television Society award and his work has screened at film festivals internationally, including BAFTA-qualifying Aesthetica Short Film Festival.

An award-winning filmmaker and animator, his work spans documentaries, promos and event visuals. Reuben has directed work for clients such as Nike, Channel 4, Cancer Research UK and the United Nations.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film has been a true labour of love and an emotional journey. An ode to my Grandad and his defiant community who refuse to be forgotten.

I hope it connects with viewers on a human level around the world as this story is all about love, life, time, place and what we leave behind us when we're gone.

Please feel free to request a special Q&A session for your festival, I would be more than happy to support you in screening the film.