ASH DIAMOND

Short Film | Drama, Thriller

Early Development

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ASH DIAMOND is an in-development project from award-winning Australian filmmaker James Cunningham. The story revolves around Ash Diamond, a successful celebrity Australian UFC Fighter whose privileged life takes a treacherous turn when he engages in a forbidden affair, leading him down a path of deceit and violence in a desperate attempt to preserve his reputation.

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The film's early development is aided with the involvement of actual Australian amateur competitive fighter Stirling Slaughter, as well as filmmaker and body-builder Kiang Kho. Slated to be filmed in Melbourne, Australia, short film ASH DIAMOND is currently in early development.

 

James Cunningham's script for ASH DIAMOND promises a gripping and intense character study, blending high-stakes action with psychological depth. Set against the backdrop of the brutal world of professional fighting, the film delves into the pressures of fame, masculinity, and personal downfall. With visceral fight sequences, morally complex characters, and a gripping narrative, ASH DIAMOND aims to challenge audiences' perceptions of heroism and the price of success.

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With a raw and uncompromising vision, Cunningham has written a tense and emotionally charged thriller that refuses to pull its punches. ASH DIAMOND is not just a short film about combat inside the cage but also the battles fought inside the mind — where pride, fear, and desperation collide.

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ASH DIAMOND by James Cunningham explores the destructive consequences of toxic masculinity and examines the psychological and moral descent of a man driven to extreme measures to maintain a public façade.

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Writer & Director - James Cunningham

Producers - Vanessa Abbott & Slade Phillips​

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Please contact for further information and updates on ASH DIAMOND.