Dave Steele, the 'Blind Poet', is nearing the end of his sight as retinitis pigmentosa closes in. With no treatment and no way to slow its progress, he documents the final stages of his vision while navigating work, family life and the realities of blindness. What emerges is a grounded portrait of a man adapting in real time—and the steady presence of the family who move through it with him.
Matt Hopkins – Director
Matt Hopkins is an award-winning documentary director who tells human stories through a cinematic lens, championing unheard stories in the UK and beyond. Matt’s short and feature documentaries have screen at film festivals around the world. The Film I’ll Never See is a story built over 3 years between Matt and Dave (the central protagonist of the film) and represents Matt’s first film for a broadcast audience.
ITV Signpost – Production Company
ITV Signpost is a production house with diversity embedded into its DNA. 75% of staff working for Signpost are deaf, disabled, neurodivergent or have a chronic health condition. Signpost's commitment to Diversity Equality and Inclusion has seen the development of a training academy offering production courses aimed at increasing representation within the industry. All of its commissions reflect this, with a commitment that a minimum of 50% of any production crew will be from a diverse or underrepresented background. In The Film I'll Never See, the production crew included a blind second camera operator, a blind composer and we consulted with a blind graphic designer. All were working alongside deaf, disabled, neurodiverse and chronically ill production talent. The programme is an example of diversity in action both in front of the camera and behind it.