Samuel Mansell
Documentary Filmmaker
Bio
SAE alumnus Samuel Mansell has built a purpose-driven career as a self-shooting director and documentary filmmaker, working across brand, music and community-focused storytelling for global organisations and grassroots initiatives alike.
Since graduating from SAE, Sam has specialised in short-form and medium-format digital video, collaborating with major brands and institutions including Adobe, Warner Music, SoHo House, the University of Oxford and the BBC. His work spans projects with internationally recognised artists and public figures, while maintaining a strong commitment to stories rooted in social impact and community.
In 2022, he founded Drop All Words Media, a creative studio dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and cultural perspectives. Through short documentaries and socially engaged films, the platform aims to inspire the next generation of creatives by centring stories that are often overlooked. This work has taken Sam across four continents, shaping a creative practice defined by purpose as much as production.
Alongside his commercial and documentary work, Sam is deeply involved in community outreach in Oxford, where he works with young people facing complex challenges including mental health struggles, substance misuse and risks of exploitation. Through his role with In-Spire Sounds, a charitable recording studio and creative project, he supports young people through lyric writing, music production and video-making workshops. In the past year alone, the initiative delivered over 2,000 hours of one-to-one creative support.
His wider industry involvement includes becoming a member of the Soho Farmhouse Committee, where he helps encourage young creatives from the local area to access opportunities and networks within the organisation. He is also currently developing multiple documentary concepts for major streaming platforms.
One of the most meaningful moments of his career was the opportunity to work with Jamal Edwards MBE prior to his passing in 2022. A pioneering figure in UK music culture, Jamal’s humility, generosity and vision left a lasting impact, making the collaboration a defining personal and professional experience.
Reflecting on his time at SAE, Sam credits the institute with helping him refine his creative vision through a supportive environment of staff and peers. While his learning continues beyond graduation, SAE played a key role in giving him the confidence and clarity to pursue a career aligned with his values.
His advice to future students is to explore widely, learn quickly what doesn’t resonate, and commit fully to what does. Finding a niche, he believes, is only the beginning – mastering it is the real work of a creative career.
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