Tim Stead: Magician With Wood

Creator: BEATRIX A. WOOD, Executive Producer – John Archer, Hopscotch Films, Production: trixpixmedia, 89’, UK, 2024, Territories: Selected

The whole inside story of a man, a tree, a wood and a sculpted home

An inspirational story about Tim Stead, the innovative wood sculptor, furniture designer and environmentalist, and his widow Maggy’s rollercoaster journey as she battles to secure the future of their unique home, The Steading. It is a Grade A-listed work of art, sculpted from wood by Tim in Scotland. Can Maggy and her friends protect Tim’s legacy to inspire future generations to create and work with wood? Or will it be lost forever? “Just a big bonfire,” as Maggy says in a moment of despair.

In parallel, the film weaves the remarkable stories of the passionate people who worked with Tim to explore how he evolved as a profound artist and his role in the creation of some of Scotland’s most popular public art. The film traces how Tim’s belief to put back in more than he took out of the environment led to pioneering the creation of the first community woodland in Britain which kickstarted the community land ownership movement in Scotland and internationally. 

The action is punctuated by a selection of Tim’s eloquent poems.  

It is a story about the bonds of love and grief, loyalty and friendship, collaboration and community alongside our relationship with trees, and Nature as a catalyst for our creativity and well-being in the face of climate change.

“If we didn’t have trees, our planet would be dead,” reflects Giles Sutherland.

Festivals

Best Documentary – Feature Length – Swedish International Film Festival

Best Film on Nature/Wildlife – Bangkok Movie Awards, Thailand

Environmental award – Nature Without Borders International Film Festival, US

Nominee – Beyond The Curve International Film Festival, Paris, France

Finalist – Elegant International Film Festival, Kolkata, India

Finalist – RED Movie Awards, Reims, France

Semi-Finalist Tokyo Women’s Film Festival

Semi Finalist Cleveland Arthouse Film Awards

Green Montenegro International Film Festival

Animal Nature Future Film Festival, London