Source: Slam Films
SLAM Films in collaboration with The Bridge Film Company, announced today that its debut feature documentary, The Bridge, has been selected to screen at the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF) in Dallas, Texas on April 29th. The film marks the first-ever authorized documentary portrait of Chelsea Football Club’s fans, one of the world’s most iconic and globally followed sports organizations.
The Bridge follows the club’s passionate, multigenerational fanbase across two continents — from the stands at Stamford Bridge in London to one of the world’s largest Chelsea FC supporter fanbases in Nigeria — weaving together the history, culture, and emotional core of what it means to follow Chelsea FC.
The film was produced by SLAM Films and The Bridge Film Company, an independent production company founded by Scott Allison and Lauren Mammini. What began as a conversation in London in 2015 became a two-year production spanning the UK, West Africa, and beyond, shot entirely with the cooperation and access of Chelsea FC, who had never before granted an independent documentary team full access to the club.
“Many people felt this film would be very difficult to make, but we had incredible support from Chelsea FC and great access to their fan base,” said Allison. “The fans’ stories are poignant and very moving and deserve to be told. This film goes way beyond just football and shows what goes on beyond the pitch.”
Directed by Jimmy Hedge with cinematography by Martin J Roach, production on The Bridge concluded in early 2026 following shoots in London and Nigeria. Post-production was completed at Halo in London. The film will make its world premiere at DIFF. “The Bridge” will have its UK premiere at the British Urban Film festival where it has been nominated for Best Documentary film.
“DIFF has become one of the world’s top film festivals and we’re honored to premiere here,” said Mammini. “We believe this film will resonate with sports fans everywhere, regardless of who or where they support. It captures the universal sense of belonging that makes fandom so powerful”
SLAM Films is currently in discussions with distributors and is actively pursuing additional festival selections following the Dallas premiere. Tickets for the DIFF screening are available at https://diffdallas2026.eventive.org/films/the-bridge-69c9cc9d72d0d25c0b68f352.
ABOUT THE BRIDGE
The Bridge is a feature documentary about the global soul of Chelsea Football Club — told through the fans who have built their lives around it. From London to Lagos, the film explores what sport means when it becomes identity, community, and legacy.
ABOUT SLAM FILMS
SLAM Films is an independent production company founded by Scott Allison and Lauren Mammini. Based in the U.S. and UK, SLAM Films is dedicated to telling untold stories at the intersection of sport, culture, and human connection. The Bridge is the company’s debut feature.
