Matt Kane

Ever since I can recall as a kid growing up in Akron, Ohio, I’ve loved entertaining. I was the one making people laugh, telling stories, yearning to be the center of attention, and soaking up every moment in the spotlight. But more than just performing, I was obsessed with escapism—the thrill of stepping into and inhabiting another world. Action movies and martial arts films weren’t just entertainment; they were a calling. Bruce Lee, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Jean-Claude Van Damme weren’t just icons—they were proof that storytelling could be physical, visceral, and deeply human.

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That obsession never left me. As I grew up, went to college, got my master’s degree, became a professor and opened my own martial arts school and did other “life stuff”, I knew I needed to make movies. I realized that film—like martial arts—wasn’t just about the spectacle. It was about self-discovery. The same way a fighter sharpens their skills in the dojo, a filmmaker hones their craft, pushing past limits to tell stories that matter. I see filmmaking as a mirror to the soul—every project a new challenge, every story a test of will.

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At the heart of my work are the raw, primal emotions that define us and connect all: love, loss, death, survival, and hope. These aren’t just themes; they’re the foundation of what it means to be human. My goal isn’t just to make action and dramatic films—it’s to elevate them.

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I want my films to challenge audiences. To make them feel something real, to engage intelligently and empathetically with the questions about life, purpose, and the struggles we all face. Through every punch, every fall, every heartbreak, every moment of triumph or failure, I want to tell stories that resonate—not just with the mind, but with the soul.

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Having just finished my first feature film, “Gatling”, I’m ready for more. Because to me, filmmaking—like martial arts—isn’t just about the fight. It’s about what you learn from it and how we can grow. And, ultimately what it means to be a part of this group we call “humans” as we ride together on this giant rock spinning through space.