Overview

Destined is a post-apocalyptic proof-of-concept directed by Sheldon Armstrong and written by Miguel Francisco Bata. Four years after a viral outbreak, a woman pushes a wheelchair-bound man down a deserted road. They are taken in by a pastor and his small band of survivors. But in a world stripped of law and order, trust is a currency that costs more than anyone can afford. Nothing is what it seems.

The proof-of-concept is being developed into a full feature film. A pitch deck has been assembled and the project is being marketed for further financing, with Abbey Road Studios producers attached.

Production

Filmed in 4K Raw on a Black Magic Pocket Cinema Camera using Canon cine glass by DOP/operator Gareth Stack, the footage was later delivered in Black Magic film log format for editing with independently recorded audio tracks.

Post Production

The initial long edit came in at 42:45. Working closely with Miguel and Sheldon, I cut the film down from the raw assembly while preserving the slow-burn tension that the story depends on. Every scene needed to earn its place. The performances carry real weight and the challenge was honouring them while keeping the pace relentless.

In parallel, Sheldon and I created an ultra-cut at 14:05 for festival and market screenings where a 42-minute commitment was a barrier. This proved prescient. When we screened both versions at a trade event during the 2026 Berlinale at the Hollywood Media Hotel on February 17th, the shorter cut drew a sizeable crowd who then stayed for the long version.

The 14-minute cut was subsequently accepted into a curated screening programme for Tribeca runner-ups.

Both versions were delivered in 4K with 5.1 surround audio mixes. I also handled the colour grade and designed the poster artwork and pitch deck for the feature development package.

Screenings

• Berlinale 2026, Hollywood Media Hotel, Berlin (Trade Screening, February 2026)
• Tribeca Curated Screening (Selected, 14-minute cut)

Producer’s Reflection

“Mark will present you exactly what you ask for and then another version you never knew you needed. He is a passionate and talented scriptwriter as well, and that gives him the advantage of understanding what scenes are necessary for the character to be seen in order to express the nature of the story.”

Miguel Francisco
Actor, Producer, Destined