Stormzy launches #Merky Films and announces starring role in first short film

Stormzy has announced details of #Merky Films, as well as announcing details of the first project to arrive under his growing enterprise.

Having launched #Merky Books in 2018 with Penguin, the rap icon’s first project under #Merky Films is Big Man – a new short film which sees Stormzy star in his first-ever lead acting role.

Directed by Oscar winner Aneil Karia, the film was shot entirely on an iPhone 16 Pro and will debut on YouTube at 8pm (BST) on June 18, 2025.

According to an official release, the film tells the “poignant, fictional story of Tenzman, a former rap star now navigating a restless and uncertain chapter of his life. When two mischievous young boys – Klevis (Klevis Brahja) and Tyrell (Jaydon Eastman) – unexpectedly enter into his carefully guarded world, the unlikely trio forge a transformative bond – one that awakens Tenzman’s dormant musical passion, impulsive joy and fragile optimism.

“Blending humour, vulnerability and quiet transformation, the film thoughtfully explores themes of reconnecting with your younger self and embracing gratitude.”

The new film venue also aims to “champion new voices, fresh, powerful narratives and innovative forms of expression within British cinema and television. #Merky Films’ endeavour is to create projects that connect communities, celebrate culture and inspire meaningful change.”

Big Man is just the first taste of that, with confirmation that a powerful drama series and a “seminal biopic” – though the subject is yet to be confirmed – are in the works. Also on their slate is “thought-provoking documentaries, a bold new animation project and a boundary-pushing, new-age mockumentary”.

Stormzy said: “I always say: music is my first love, but film is my second. #Merky Films is something I’ve been dreaming about for ages – a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art. It’s a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky – sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.”

He added: “I hope you love our first project, Big Man, as much as we loved making it. For me, it’s all about the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth – that feeling like life is one big adventure and the world’s your playground. I hope it inspires you to dream bigger, live louder and hold on to that unapologetic energy that comes with being young.”

Director Aneil Karia has just completed work on his second feature film, a modern adaptation of Hamlet with a cast including Riz Ahmed, Morfydd Clark, Joe Alwyn and Tim Spall. In 2022 his film The Long Goodbye starring Riz Ahmed won the Academy Award for Best Narrative Short Film, London Critics Circle Best Short Film and the BIFA for Best Short Film. He also received a BAFTA nomination for Best Breakthrough in television for directing the final episodes of Top Boy and won acclaim for his debut feature film Surge which was released in 2020.

Stormzy’s most recent music came in the form of ‘Sorry Rach’, which arrived last month.