s t o r y

The Pit plunges you straight into the intense environment of UK Battle Rap, Where your respect is earned. 

The unapologetic, high-energy short film follows the inter-winded paths of two underdogs. BANKZ - a struggling promoter with everything on the line and Valentine - a fiercely competitive performer, trying to earn her respect in a male-dominated sport. 

Bankz and Valentine, are both friends themselves within touching distance of everything they've ever wanted but to get there, they have to make tough decisions which will not only compromise their morals but could end businesses, families and friendships.

A series of small decisions lead to the ultimate price as both are faced with a gut-wrenching decision: Will Valentine compromise her family for the chance to become a Champion? or will Bankz value his friendship over the chance to financially secure his future?

The Pit isn't just a short film about Rap Battles, it's a no-bullshit look into us as humans when we're questioned with the opportunity of personal glory, dressed within a ruthless sport where demolishing your opponent in front of an audience is the only way to win.

Everything gets left in The Pit.

d i r e c t o r  ' s  s t a t e m e n t

“RAPPER TO MY RIGHT, INTRODUCE YOURSELF”

Over the last decade, nothing has kicked my mental state into hype-focus like that small phrase. At that moment as a performer, you know it’s now or never. For the next 20 minutes, you’re about to be torn apart by your opponent, and you need to be equipped to respond even more viciously to ensure you win.

It’s a one-time, no-retakes, no-scene-cuts, no-apologies sport, where you’re judged by a crowd of hundreds on your ability to deliver a clean performance under pressure at that exact moment.

This is why I love battle rap and have dedicated almost half of my life to the sport.

As a first-time writer and director, I wanted to create something so authentic to the culture that it truly captures what this scene is about, but also digestible for people who have never crossed paths with rap battles. On the surface, it’s a vicious, disrespectful sport where the goal is to say the worst thing you can to your opponent in front of a live audience. But behind the curtain, it’s a global community full of support, love, and, sadly, pain.

This sport changed my life. I was born into a low-income family based in Salford, one of the most deprived cities in the country. The majority of my family was heavily involved in crime, and none of them before me had gone into higher education. At the age of 15, I found myself writing rap music as a method to cope with a lot of things I was going through, from my parents’ divorce to seeing many friends being killed or committing suicide. My method to cope was making music, and through this, I found an outlet in battle rap. It allowed me to get creative and express
my pain in a way that people related to it. This allowed me to travel the world and represent the UK as a performer, going to places I never imagined possible.

As a promoter, I’ve seen it all from the bottom of being scammed and losing tens of thousands of pounds to being sat in meetings talking huge sponsorships deals. With the performers, I’ve also seen everything from battlers being at their lowest point and just needing a community around them to be on top of the world and being flown country to the country to represent the UK when before this they’d never owned a passport. My own experience as a promoter and performer has allowed me to tell this story from an authentic approach using my own experiences and stories from those around me.

So why this film? Because - why not?

The world hears “battle rap” and instantly recoils, and that’s fine. We don’t need your acknowledgement; we acknowledge ourselves. I want to tell a story for us and what we go through to be at the top.

A sport where a kid fresh from jail can be a champion, or a retired pensioner can tell a 19-year-old to “Fuck off” and make hundreds of people cry with laughter. The time is right to tell our story with a gritty, unapologetic approach filled with a lot of heart.

So when you say, “Rapper to my right, introduce yourself,”

My name is Louis ‘Bison’ Briggs, I represent Salford, and I’m a battle rapper.

Let me show you what we’re all about.

m e e t  t h e  t e a m 

Louis "Bison" Briggs [director / writer]

Louis is a first-time writer & director but an experienced producer, having worked on large-scale projects for the likes of Manchester United, Sky TV & UNILAD. In 2023 he ventured into short films producing 'Gooseneck' which went on to win numerous festival selections across the UK, Europe & America.

Aside from this Louis is also a very accomplished rapper, having performed all over the world and toured with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

In 2010, he stumbled into the UK Rap Battle scene by mistake and has been hooked ever since both as a performer and now a promoter, running one of the biggest leagues in the UK, Premier Battles.

Louis's focus for this project is to ensure 'The Pit' delivers an authentic, raw look into the pressure of being a performer & a promoter inside a no-holds-barred environment where tearing your opponent down for the live crowd watching, is the only way to win.

Andrew Ellis [producer]

Andrew Ellis was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester. He first found a passion for acting in high school, Where he was spotted by casting director Michelle Smith. Michelle auditioned Andrew for several projects, one of which was Shane Meadows's 2006 BAFTA-winning film 'This is England'. Andrew has since gone on to star in a number of film and television productions, reprising his role as the lovable 'Gadget' in 'This is England' television series.

As well as success in front of the camera, Andrew is a keen writer and director. He was one of the founding members of the award-winning UNILAD original video team, where he was head of fictional video until 2018. After leaving Andrew has since set up his own production company 'Odd Drawer Digital'.

Michael "Vizual" Largey [assistant producer]

Michael Largey is an award-winning short film producer, who has spent the last year working in Sustainable Production as part of BAFTA Albert.

Prior to this, Michael coordinated the production of two feature documentaries, including the critically acclaimed ‘So This Is Christmas’ directed by Ken Wardrop. With a passion for the world of battle rap and being an active member of the community, he’s excited to help bring 'The Pit' to life.

Outside of being a producer, Michael has made an impressive impact in battle becoming the first-ever Irish Champion of Premier Battles, facing competition from across America and Canada.

Jake "Lazy" Solomon [production assistant]

Adam "Shotty Horroh" Rooney [battle rap consultant/exec producer]

Battle rap legend and Platinum streamed artist, Shotty Horroh signs onto 'The Pit' as a battle rap consultant. The UK legend is most known for his battle vs Arsonal which has amassed over 13M+ streams on Youtube. Still, he's also represented the UK on the biggest stages in the world, including the headline battle on KOTD's collaboration event with Drake "Blackout". 

Aside from battling, Shotty Horroh is a platinum-streamed artist working with James Arthur, Deadmau5, Tory Lanez, Royce Da 5'9, TY Dolla $ign, Tommy Lee and many more. 

Aaron "Bizzo" Bond [battle rap consultant/exec producer]

Born and raised in Preston, UK. Aaron Bond has become an elite performer in the world of battle rap, having not only become the current 2x UK Champion, he's also represented the United Kingdom across America and Canada, facing their champions.

This is Aaron's first step into the world of TV & Film, but his knowledge of how to deliver and stage a rap battle will provide an unmatched authenticity to the film.

o u r  c a s t

Jamie Shelton [Emmerdale / The Knife That Killed Me]

We're delighted to announce actor, Jamie Shelton has signed on to play the lead role of Bankz.

Bankz is a hard-working Mancunian who's dedicated over half of his life to the world of UK Battle rap.

The straight-talking, no-nonsense approach to how he runs an event has earned him respect from both the fans and the performers. He expects the best from everyone and doesn't accept excuses.

Under the exterior of being the "Promoter", Bankz values his friendships and the relationships he has with the performers, seeing them win is where he earns his rewards.

However, now in his early thirties with the business struggling to survive in a dying live events industry he finds himself at a crossroads:

Does he call it a day and walk away with nothing?

or 

Does he sell out and commercialise the culture for his financial gain?

Alicia Forde [Time / Waterloo Road]

We're delighted to announce that Alicia Forde has signed on to play the lead role of battle rapper, Valentine.

Valentine is a vicious competitor who's made her name by demolishing her opponents, however, she's found it difficult to climb the ladder in a male-dominated sport.

After landing her long-awaited shot at the UK Title, Valentine finds herself in touching distance of becoming the first female champion of all time, an opportunity - some fans don't think she deserves.

Outside of being a dangerous performer, she's a single mother, struggling not only financially but she's also fighting for respect in a world that her family don't understand or agree with. 

This is her one shot to become a champion and write her name in the history books forever.

But when a gut-wrenching decision of being there for her son in a moment of need or becoming a champion, we find out who she is.

Robbie "Bobby Rex" Ashworth [UK Battle Rapper]

UK Battle Rap legend, Bobby Rex has signed on to play the part of Stress.

Stress is the most feared man in UK Battle Rap. The current UK Champion and the only thing stopping Valentine from reaching her ultimate goal.

Raised on the council estates of Manchester and with an active connection to the streets, Stress made his name in battle rap through his aggressive, in-your-face style which tends to have his opponent defeated before round one.

Stress loves being a champion and the respect that it brings. 

He's not about to lose that without a fight.

t h a n k  y o u

Thank you for your support with this project, any penny does help! we truly believe in this project and hope The Pit can deliver something truly authentic to represent a global community on the biggest platforms. 

All donations from the original GoFundMe will be matched with the goodies above.