Oink: Piggs, Puns & Plops - Short Documentary

Aim

Raising finishing and screening funds for a short documentary that looks at the origins, influence & legacy of a revered cult British comic.

OiNK: Piggs, Puns & Plops

Directed by Claire Bend & Rob Reed

Synopsis: A short documentary looking at the creation, life and legacy of the hugely influential cult British comic OiNK!
Featuring Patrick Gallagher, Charlie Brooker, Jamie Smart and many more creators and lifelong fans, this documentary delves deep into the pig-pen and covers you in sensational swill!

"Oink!" was a British comic aimed at kids and teens, published from 1986 to 1988. It was created by Patrick Gallagher, Tony Husband and Mark Rodgers in Manchester and was known for being anarchic, cheeky and irreverent. Full of subversive humour, memorable characters and a rebellious tone that set it apart from more traditional British children's comics of the era.

Aim

Initially talking about the idea on long drives when doing agency filming work, we've spent the last year in our spare time filming and conducting interviews with many of the comics creators, fans and modern day artists who cite it as a major influence. All fuelled on tea and a creative passion to share its story with the wider world. 

We've finished filming and editing the short documentary and are very happy with the 25 minute film we've produced. It recently had a preview screening at this years MaccPow festival and received an overwhelmingly positive response. So far just the two of us have done every role on making the film and we would love to raise some funds to get it fully polished and ready for future festival screenings and events (three of which have already invited the film to screen at later this year). Initial funds would be spent on that finishing by industry professionals that we already have quotes in agreement with.

If the campaign continued to be successful then any further funds would be used for future festival screenings and to do bespoke screenings of the film for the fans to come and enjoy it in the company of other Pigg Pals. Furthermore we would conduct interviews with OiNK creators we weren't able to cover initially and after its festival run we would ideally love to create and manage an online hub where the film and lots of extras and additional material would stream and be available to the fans. 

About the Filmmakers

Claire Bend

Claire is a video and audio producer and editor, specialising in ethical, sustainable production and co-creation. With over 10+ years agency experience working in film, across social media content, TV and radio ads, campaigns and factual production, often working with charities and not-for-profit partners. Her specialisms include working with inexperienced contributors and exploring lived experiences. It’s important for Claire to make the process of filmmaking inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable. Currently working as a film researcher at University of Huddersfield, helping the University to expand its use of film in research and learning, alongside her own film research as an MA student. A lifelong fan of comics, Claire says that reading OINK! at a young age in the 80s shaped her sense of humour.

Rob Reed

Starting as a producer at Xfm and BBC 6 Music prior to his work as a filmmaker and possessing a lifelong passion for film, Rob began to write and direct his own material in 2008, winning an award for debut short ‘The Driving Test’ at the Raindance Film Festival. His debut no-budget comedy feature ‘Down The Road’ has been released on Amazon through a partnership with MY Productions and his short film 'Mark & Alan' screened at both the 2014 London Short Film Festival and Aesthetica Film Festival. Rob also completed editing on the feature documentary 'DTF' which was released by Lionsgate UK and went to No.1 on the iTunes Documentary chart.His second feature 'A Weekend Away' which was written, improvised and shot over five days in rural Wales won the 'Best Feature' at the Oxford Film Festival and is now available to stream on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

Recent work has included creating, directing and editing TV ad spots for brands including That Prize Guy, Wonderdays and the Debra charity. Most recently his short documentary 'Copy Of The Nature' toured as part of the BFI's Northern Exposure film series.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 22nd October 2026 at 7:41am