At 88, Paul Youd is on a mission to complete 100 ultramarathons before his 100th birthday. He defies age and injury, proving that determination can carry us further than we think. As a passionate advocate and fundraiser for animal protection, Paul uses his journey to challenge perceptions and inspire change - championing what’s possible with a plant-powered lifestyle.

Directed by Damian Sciberras, More Like Paul is a life-affirming short documentary about purpose, resilience, and the influence of those who live by example - reminding us that meaningful change can begin with a single step, at any stage of life.

More Like Paul has screened at film festivals nationally winning Best Documentary Short, Best Editing (Doc Short), and Best Sound (Doc Short) at the Bournemouth International Film Festival. An honorary award for Efforts in Social Filmmaking at the Activists Without Borders Film Festival, selected for BIFA Qualifying Beeston Film Festival, the International Vegan Film Festival, Sheffield Adventure Film Festival and Cambridge Short Film Festival.

Click below to watch the award-winning documentary short now!

I am a UK-based documentary filmmaker with a passion for real stories that challenge perceptions and drive positive change. My journey into filmmaking began in 2016 as a videographer, where I discovered the power of storytelling.

While volunteering at an Animal Sanctuary, I saw the connection between farm animals and the companion animals in our homes. This led to my debut short film, Saved by Jane (2022), about Jane Baker’s mission to rescue and rehome over 150 farm animals. The film was selected for nine festivals and won six awards, including Best Short Documentary and a Green Planet Award.

Since then, I have focused on resilience, ethical living and underrepresented voices. I am drawn to stories that challenge societal norms, promote compassion and create empathy. My latest documentary, More Like Paul (2025), follows 88 year old ultramarathoner Paul Youd as he attempts to complete one hundred ultramarathons before his 100th birthday, fuelled by a plant-powered lifestyle.

The film has been selected for eight festivals and has won four awards including Best Documentary Short. The trailer reached more than a million views on social media and the film is now available on The WaterBear Network and Vimeo on Demand.

Now mentored by BAFTA Winning Director Alex Lockwood, I am currently developing new documentary projects, including A Bag for Life, which explores what it’s like to live with a stoma, continuing my commitment to bold, character-driven storytelling that reshapes perspectives and inspires action.

Whilst Paul and I share the same ethics, I was drawn to his determination and kindness. His goal of completing 100 ultramarathons before 100 is inspiring. More than that, Paul challenges age, endurance, and vegan stereotypes. His story aligns with my aim to represent resilience, individual activism, and ethical choices, making this film an exciting opportunity to further explore these themes.

Documentary filmmaking often requires patience, and More Like Paul was no different. In 2023, Paul had to cancel two ultramarathons due to illness, and balancing the film’s ethical stance was a challenge - ensuring Paul’s beliefs were clear without the film feeling overly persuasive, allowing the viewer to make up their own mind. Alongside his running, Paul’s commitment to raising money for animal charities while advocating for farmed animals adds another layer of depth to his journey.

I hope this film sparks curiosity and starts conversations. I want the viewer to experience Paul’s highs and lows and understand what drives him to do this for the animals. More than anything, I hope it encourages people to rethink their choices, particularly around food, and consider the possibility of thriving on a plant-powered lifestyle.

More Like Paul reinforced my belief in documentary storytelling as a tool to challenge norms, inspire action, and open meaningful conversations.

In March 2025, we were looking for an animal sanctuary to film one of the final scenes of the documentary. We approached Hayley at Hakuna Matata Animal Trust in Marldon, Devon, who warmly welcomed us and made our day with the animals wonderful. As this is our local sanctuary, we've pledged to donate 50% of the film’s profits to help support their work.

Hakuna Matata Animal Trust became an officially recognised charity in May of 2023. Leading up to this, the trust had been running since October 2021, with our journey of rescuing animals beginning with our first official rescue, Mustard the pig.

Since then we have rescued, re-homed and fostered 89 animals while also having a hand in multiple animal rescue missions, where we have contributed to helping rescue approximately 368 animals with the combined efforts of other sanctuaries, animal carers and animal rights activists.

Click below for more information about how you can support their work.