Private Project

Surviving Burkitts The Return

After the devastating loss in 2005 of their son Scott from Burkitt's Lymphoma Cancer at the age of 31, Stephanie and Wade Hampton embarked on a life-changing journey to Malawi in 2010. Burkitt's Lymphoma is the fastest growing cancer known to man—Stephanie and Wade sought answers to understand the disease; in Malawi it is the biggest growing cancer that kills children between the ages of two and twelve. The film Surviving Burkitt's follows Stephanie's personal journey remembering Scott's courageous battle with the relentless disease and his final death. She meets doctors and children at the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Blantyre where they are trying to find medication and solutions to combat the cancer ...some heart rendering cases. The result of this journey and film is the formation of the Scott Hampton Foundation for Burkitt's Research which in the next few years supports some groundbreaking research that takes place with children with Burkitt's Lymphoma at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre Malawi.

In 2025 Stephanie returns to Malawi to see first-hand how the trials of a groundbreaking new drug are offering children the chance of survival that Scott never had. The film that chronicles her return is an emotional portrait of resilience, love, and hope for the children of Malawi through devotion, dedication and hard work by all the doctors, nurses and professors at the hospital .

Through Scott's memory, the wish is the continuation of research and to save lives.

  • Alex Tweddle
    Director
  • Alex Tweddle
    Writer
  • Alex Tweddle
    Key Cast
  • Stephanie Hampton
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 7 minutes 21 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 8, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    Malawi
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    19.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Alex Tweddle

A graduate of The London Film School, Alex is an accomplished filmmaker with three decades of experience producing and directing award-winning films in some of the world’s most challenging environments. HEAT-certified to operate in hostile environments, he has led productions across conflict zones and complex international settings, delivering stories of global significance with integrity and impact.

Widely recognised for his distinctive creative vision and uncompromising approach to storytelling, Alex has built a reputation for producing films that challenge conventional thinking, engage audiences and address complex social and humanitarian issues. His work combines editorial rigour with cinematic excellence, consistently delivering powerful and enduring narratives.

Alex’s films have screened at more than 150 international film festivals and have received over 50 major awards, including honours for Best Film, Best Director, Sound, Music, Editing, and Social Impact. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside leading actors, producers, broadcasters, and technical specialists, establishing himself as a respected voice in international filmmaking and a producer of consistently high-calibre content.

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Director Statement

The film over 15 years has led the way in raising awareness of the disease and engaging Birmingham University in trials of a new drug they have developed, which has change the lives of children suffering from Burkitts Lymphoma throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.