Motherboard (film)
| Motherboard | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Victoria Mapplebeck |
| Written by | Victoria Mapplebeck |
| Produced by | Debbie Manners, Victoria Mapplebeck |
| Starring | Victoria Mapplebeck, Jim Mapplebeck |
| Cinematography | Victoria Mapplebeck |
| Edited by | Oli Bauer, Victoria Mapplebeck |
| Music by | Jamie Perera |
Production company | First Person Films |
| Distributed by | Autlook Film Sales, Tull Stories |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Motherboard is a 2024 feature-length documentary film directed by Victoria Mapplebeck. The film chronicles Mapplebeck’s experiences of solo motherhood and her relationship with her son Jim, over a period of approximately twenty years.[1]
Mapplebeck began filming after becoming a single mother at the age of 38, initially using a DVCAM before transitioning to successive generations of smartphone cameras to document two decades of raising her son alone.[2] The documentary also engages with themes of technology in contemporary storytelling, using mobile devices as a primary medium for cinematic expression.
The film combines filmed conversations with Mapplebeck and her son, video diaries, text messages and voice notes to chart their family life over two decades.[3] Events depicted include Mapplebeck’s breast cancer diagnosis and the absence of Jim’s father from much of his upbringing [4] It offers an intimate exploration of motherhood, childhood, family dynamics, and personal resilience.[5]
Release
Motherboard had its world premiere in competition at CPH:DOX in March 2024 and its UK premiere at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2024 . It was subsequently screened at several international film festivals.
Autlook Film Sales acquired the rights for worldwide sales and Motherboard is distributed by Tull Stories,[6] receiving a theatrical release in the UK and Ireland on 15 August 2025.
Critical reception
The New World compared it to other longitudinal documentary projects for its portrayal of life over time.[7] British Film Institute praised it for its candid and unfiltered portrayal of family life[8] The Guardian included it in their list of "the 50 best films of 2025".[9]
Awards and nominations
| Award | Date | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Film and TV Award | 2025 | Best Director | Won[10] |
| IDA Documentary Awards | 2024 | Best Feature Documentary | Shortlisted[11] |
| Grierson Awards | 2025 | Best Cinema Documentary | Nominated[12] |
| BIFA Awards | 2025 | Best Documentary | Nominated[13] |
| BIFA Awards | 2025 | Outstanding Debut Director | Nominated |
| BIFA Awards | 2025 | Raindance Maverick Award | Nominated |
References
- ^ Ide, Wendy; critic, Senior international. "'Motherboard': CPH:DOX Review". Screen. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (2024-03-18). "Motherboard review – enthralling smartphone self-portrait of family life". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Client Challenge". www.ft.com. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "'Mum, I can't think straight any more': the mother who filmed her son's entire childhood". The Guardian. 2025-07-28. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Woman's Hour - Post Office scandal, RFU President Deborah Griffin, Annie & The Caldwells - BBC Sounds". BBC. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Motherboard | In cinemas now". Tull Stories. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ Barber, Nicholas (2025-08-12). "Long shot: the documentary which took 20 years". The New World. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Motherboard review: Family album". BFI. 2025-08-14. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
- ^ "The 50 best films of 2025 in the UK". The Guardian. 2025-12-19. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
- ^ "Royal Holloway academic wins award at the Women in Film and TV Awards 2024". www.royalholloway.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "IDA Documentary Awards 2024 Shortlist | International Documentary Association". www.documentary.org. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Past Awards - 2025". griersontrust.org. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "BIFA Nominations The Awards 2025".
External links
- Motherboard at IMDb