During the 2019 UK General Election, I was commissioned by the Labour Party to create a short social media film in Brixton. The film featured comedian and actor Tez Ilyas speaking directly to the public about controversial statements previously made by Boris Johnson – bringing a genuinely human voice to what could have been a dry political message. As with all my work, I served as director, camera operator, and editor on this project.
The Brief
Election campaigns move fast. The Labour Party needed reactive, shareable content that could reach wide audiences quickly and land with emotional impact, not a polished broadcast ad, but something that felt real and of-the-moment. Brixton was the right backdrop: vibrant, politically engaged, and immediately recognisable.
The format was vox pop and interview, placing Tez Ilyas in conversation with the public, an approach that more often than not hits the mark, as long as you ask the right questions.
The Approach
On-location political filmmaking during a General Election requires flexibility, pace, and the ability to make quick editorial decisions. I was embedded within Jeremy Corbyn’s 2019 campaign team, travelling the country, shooting and editing on the move, often on trains between events. This Brixton film was part of that wider campaign effort: fast-turnaround content designed for maximum social reach.
The combination of a recognisable comic voice, real people on the street, and a clear political message gave the film its energy. I shaped the shoot and the edit to keep it punchy, human, and shareable.
Results
- Over 8 million views across all social media platforms
- Part of what Jeremy Corbyn’s Head of Social Media described as the most viral social media campaign in British political history:
“I really enjoyed working with Matt and I was immensely pleased with what he produced. Thank you Matt for your excellent and inspiring films! I would encourage anyone who wants to share a powerful message of hope, equality and peace to work with Matt.” – Jeremy Corbyn MP
“Matt O’Brien was a key member of Jeremy Corbyn’s General Election 2019 social media team which, despite losing the election, produced the most viral social media campaign in British political history.” – Jack Bond, Head of Social Media 2019, Labour Party
Expertise
This project sits at the heart of what I do: high-stakes, high-speed political filmmaking for campaigns that matter. Being embedded within a national General Election campaign, creating content that reached millions – is a level of experience very few freelance filmmakers can offer. I know how elections work, how social media audiences behave, and how to make a film that moves people quickly.