Oldham Man & the Sea
28th March 2026
7-30pm followed by Q&A session with Frank Rothwell
90 mins
Certificate 12
Oldham Man & the Sea
Frank, an avid traveler, takes on the seas on a voyage across the Atlantic as the oldest adventurer to do so. Facing the elements, internal struggles and navigating a life changing sailing journey.
The documentary, directed by Colin Offland and Marc Ingham, is described as a “contemporary reworking of a classic story, reimagined through a distinctly local lens.”
Film makers spent several months with Frank filming preparations for his legendary adventure on the second 3,000 mile solo row across the Atlantic raising thousands for charity.
The second time he took on the challenge in 2024, he became a world record-holder for being the oldest person at 73 to row across any ocean.
On Thursday 15 February, 73-year-old Frank Rothwell crossed the finish line in Antigua after rowing 3,000-miles across the Atlantic Ocean as part of the World’s Toughest Row – where he was reunited with his wife of 53 years, Judith, and family.
Completing the race in 64 days, 7 hours and 53 minutes, Frank, Chair of Oldham Athletic A.F.C., has beaten his own Guinness World Record as the ‘Oldest person to row across the Atlantic,’. He was awarded his first record after completing the race in 2021.
“Completing the 3,000-mile race – what a feeling! To be back with my soulmate of 53-years after two months is really special”, said Frank.
The grandfather from Oldham set off from La Gomera on the 13 December 2023 with the aim of raising money and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. So far, he has raised over £260,000, and counting. This is on top of the £1.1 million he raised for the charity the first time he completed the challenge.
This is a cause close to Frank’s heart, having lost his brother-in-law and best friend to the condition. The trip was entirely self-funded by Frank, so all money raised will fund life-changing dementia research.
Frank said, “Rowing across the Atlantic Ocean on my own has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot! A year ago, I was deciding whether I would take on this epic row for the second time, but I knew I would regret not taking the opportunity to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Research UK. We all want to help make a difference in the world, and I’ve found something I can do.
If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia. We will either develop the condition ourselves, care for someone with it, or both. As the UK’s leading dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK is striving to find a cure by revolutionising the way dementia is treated, diagnosed, and prevented. Frank named his boat ‘For A Cure’, to reflect the charity’s mission.
The Olham Man & The Sea was made by Journeyman Pictures
Colin Offland – Producer
Colin is a producer/director, founder and CEO of CHIEF Productions, renowned for crafting visually distinctive, story-led work across film and commercial content projects. Colin has travelled to the remotest corners of the world during his time in the industry and earning critical acclaim for award-winning feature documentaries including his North Korean film, Dennis Rodman’s Big Bang in Pyongyang and Wildlands which explored the depths of cocaine trade throughout the Americas. Colin has collaborated with leading brands and emerging talent alike, building a reputation for thoughtful storytelling, sharp creative direction, and a hands-on approach to production.
Marc Ingham – Director
Marc is a British photographically led director known for his meticulous attention to detail and carefully crafted visual style. He approaches every project with precision and patience, whether that means building bespoke props from scratch or spending hours refining the smallest element within a frame. His work is defined by considered composition, rich tone, and a sharp eye for light, resulting in imagery that feels both polished and emotionally grounded. Marc’s work spans commercials, branded content, documentary and film, where his commitment to craft consistently elevates the final piece earning a reputation for delivering visually striking work.
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