Karate Dreams - Empty Hand, A Sensei's Story

Short Documentary | Sport | Human Story | United Kingdom

In the heart of Halifax, West Yorkshire, Karate Dreams – Empty Hand: A Sensei’s Story follows the journey of Mathew Handley, a dedicated martial artist who founded the Halifax Sport Karate Club to empower his community through the discipline of karate.

Balancing personal grief after the loss of a parent, Mathew channels his experience into building a dojo that prioritises respect, resilience, and growth—both on and off the mat. His story is one of quiet determination and lasting impact.

Featuring Olympic Gold Medallist Steven Da Costa, the film connects grassroots training to world-class inspiration, offering a powerful message for aspiring athletes. Karate Dreams celebrates the philosophy of the “empty hand” and shows how even a small club can spark big dreams.

  • James Mellor
    Director
    Rugby Town, The Inflight Food Trip.
  • James Mellor
    Writer
    Rugby Town
  • Cameron Stott
    Writer
    Rugby Town, The Inflight Food Trip.
  • James Mellor
    Producer
    Rugby Town, The Inflight Food Trip.
  • Mathew Handley
    Key Cast
  • Steven De Costa
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short
  • Genres:
    Sports, Sport, Karate, Documentary, Olympic
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 22, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    200 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K, Digital, Canon C300m3,
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Sportfilm Liberec
    Liberec
    Czechia
    September 27, 2025
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • SPORT MOVIES & TV 2025 – MILANO INTERNATIONAL FICTS FEST
    Milan
    Italy
    October 9, 2025
    Italian Premiere
    Mention d'Honneur
  • FICSAMAS - FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINEMA DE SÃO MATEUS DO SUL - PR -BRASIL
    São Mateus do Sul
    Brazil
    October 6, 2025
    Brazilian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • E14 Indie Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 15, 2025
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - James Mellor

James has directed and produced a wide range of corporate films, promos, commercials, documentaries and short films. He started Rainbow Trout Films back in 2010 to offer a range of filmmaking services to his clients. Several of the films have gone on to win multiple international awards. Based out of Halifax, UK they work with clients and partners all around the globe.

James has been in the film & TV industry for nearly 30 years and has had the good fortune to work on many Film and Television productions from the set of Red Dwarf to Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, Last of The Summer Wine, London’s Burning, Doctors, Rocket Man, Wheeler Dealers, Car of the Year, The Real Holiday Show and many more. James started out as a Runner and worked his way up the Assistant Director ranks, before becoming a Producer and Director.

James directed and produced the documentary series ‘The Inflight Food Trip’ which launched in 2020 on Amazon Prime Video. James directed a short film called 'Wheeling Dealing' back in 2004, which has been shown at Cannes in the Short Film Corner and at the BFI Disability Film Festival along with many other film festivals.

Rainbow Trout Films is now based at Albion Street Studios in Halifax, and our recent work includes Tik Tok commercials, BFI development funded project The Bridge, A Documentary on 150 of Rugby League in Halifax called Rugby Town, and the development of several other projects.

James lives in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, He studied Media Technology at Thames Valley University.

James is 47, married with a young son.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Karate Dreams – Empty Hand: A Sensei’s Story

Some stories you film. Others, you feel. Karate Dreams – Empty Hand is both.

Mathew Handley trained my son at his dojo in Halifax, and from the moment I stepped into that space, I recognised something rare. In Matt, I saw a man channelling personal grief into something deeply meaningful—a journey I relate to intimately, having also lost my mum. His quiet resilience, his commitment to building not just athletes but people, struck a chord that went far beyond the dojo.

As a filmmaker, I’ve told stories across the world. But this one is close to home—literally and emotionally. It’s a story of grassroots strength, of turning personal loss into a legacy of empowerment, and of finding Olympic-sized inspiration in the most local of places.

This isn’t just a documentary about karate. It’s about purpose, healing, and the courage to lead with an open, empty hand.

— James Mellor
Director, Rainbow Trout Films