Stormzy Steps Into Film Spotlight With ‘Big Man’ — A Bold Debut for #Merky Films

The Brit Award-winning artist dives into storytelling with a gripping short film that brings music, youth, and raw honesty to the screen.

Stormzy isn’t done surprising us. Fresh off years of music chart dominance and cultural influence, the 31-year-old rapper is turning his gaze toward film. And not just as a cameo or soundtrack contributor—he’s starring in and producing Big Man, the very first release from his new production house, #Merky Films.

Directed by Aneil Karia, the Oscar-winner behind The Long Goodbye, the short film is already making waves ahead of its June 18 release. Produced with Apple and premiering for free on YouTube, Big Man explores what happens when a once-great rapper, drifting through life, finds a spark in two unlikely friendships.

It’s not just about music or fame. It’s about finding your fire again.

A Story That’s Partly Stormzy, Partly All of Us

At the heart of Big Man is Tenzman, a former rap star who’s stalled. Life is moving, but he’s not sure where he fits anymore. Then come Klevis and Tyrell—two young boys who barge into his life with all the chaos and joy you’d expect.

Their bond, unpredictable and emotional, helps Tenzman (and maybe the audience, too) reconnect with a version of himself he’d long buried.

This isn’t some polished Hollywood redemption arc. It’s gritty. Honest. Stormzy himself described the film as capturing “the joy, spirit and fearless energy of youth.”

Why Stormzy’s Pivot to Film Feels Like More Than Just a Side Hustle

Let’s be real: celebrities dabble in film all the time. But Stormzy is doing more than showing up on screen. He’s building a platform. And he’s being deliberate about it.

Here’s what stands out:

• Big Man isn’t a vanity project. It’s rooted in storytelling, vulnerability, and community.

• The film isn’t hiding behind high-gloss production. It’s rooted in London streets and real emotions.

• The collaboration with Apple signals ambition—and real resources.

Stormzy said he’s been dreaming of #Merky Films for years. “It’s a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art,” he said. “Sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices, and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.”

It’s not just talk. It’s a whole move.

Aneil Karia’s Handprint: What Happens When Oscar Meets Grime

Karia, best known for co-creating The Long Goodbye with Riz Ahmed, knows how to mine meaning from silence and storm alike. His style—cinematic but intimate—makes him a perfect match for Stormzy’s vision.

You can already see the fingerprints: long takes, rich textures, subtle emotion.

And it’s not surprising. Karia told reporters he was drawn to the script because it “understood vulnerability without forcing it.”

Stormzy, meanwhile, isn’t afraid to look messy. In fact, that’s kind of the point.

Just one sentence to pause here.

#Merky Films: What We Know, What’s Coming, and What It Might Mean

Right now, #Merky Films is a clean slate. But Big Man sets the tone. It’s personal. It’s specific. And it’s built to amplify underrepresented voices.

Stormzy’s already proven what he can do in other lanes. Through the #Merky Books publishing imprint, he’s given young Black British writers a megaphone. He’s funded scholarships. He’s been vocal about media bias. Now, through film, he’s extending that same ethos visually.

Each arm reflects a different lane of the same mission: uplift, represent, and build.

This table says a lot without needing to say much.

Why This Film Matters More Than Just Its Plot

The film might only be a short, but its impact? Potentially long-lasting.

For one, Stormzy’s presence on screen will bring in an audience that might not usually show up for British shorts. More importantly, Big Man adds to the slowly but steadily growing catalogue of stories about Black British life that don’t center trauma. It’s got joy. It’s got stillness. It’s got awkwardness. It’s got humor.

And most of all, it’s got that beautiful, messy in-between space where people rediscover themselves.

It doesn’t need to be heavy to be honest.

And one more short paragraph here.

The Bigger Bet Behind Stormzy’s Screen Move

Stormzy’s stepping into a world where Black creators in Britain still face serious roadblocks—from funding hurdles to lack of distribution access. With #Merky Films, he’s trying to sidestep all that. Build from scratch. Bet on new voices. And take full control of the narrative.

It’s not just about “representation.” It’s about who owns the camera, who writes the script, and who gets the final cut.

You could argue Stormzy’s betting on himself all over again. And honestly? That bet tends to pay off.