There are many documentaries about filmmaking. The ups and downs of movie shoots and backroom squabbles. Justin McConnell’s film takes the viewer on his five-year journey of trying to get his visions off the ground.

McConnell’s plight is often related through video diary-type sequences, as well as fly-on-the-wall moments when he’s on the phone brokering deals. There are plenty of talking heads from the business telling their stories too. These range from the well-known (Guillermo del Toro) to the ‘little league’ indie filmmakers who have incredibly valid input to offer, even if it only scratches the surface of the struggles they face.

McConnell is seen fighting to get finance for his dream project – and adaptation of the novel Kane by Michael Prescott – only for things to stall and new avenues explored, but he never gives up the fight to do what he loves. It’s an underdog story in which we don’t necessarily warm to the protagonist until quite late in the tale. It’s a shame that some of the interviews don’t bring as much knowledge to the table as they could have, but there are enough nuggets in there to make it worthwhile. Sadly, due to the time the film covers, several key faces have now left us.

Young directors, writers, and producers might have their eyes opened to the trials that face them, and there’s plenty to learn here, even it’s just as a reality check. There’s plenty for genre fans in McConnell’s doc, too, as a look behind the scenes of how films fight for distribution and even festival selection, which is no doubt where many see these films. It might not be a heart-warming, rags-to-riches story, but the sobering truth is nonetheless entertaining and enthralling.

On Blu-ray and Digital HD on April 12th
Exclusive premiere on ARROW in the UK and US from April 19th