Matt Ashton BFE
Matt Ashton BFE is a long-form editor trusted to shape ambitious documentaries that combine complex storytelling with emotional clarity. With more than 25 years’ experience across documentary, factual, music, history, science, natural history, sport and comedy, he’s cut everything from the untold story of John Lennon’s Imagine to acclaimed music documentaries with Idris Elba and Norma Percy, as well as Inside China’s Tech Boom, directed by David Borenstein, who won the 2026 BAFTA Award for Best Documentary and the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for Mr. Nobody Against Putin.
Matt’s recent work includes Live Aid at 40: When Rock’N’Roll Took on the World, winner of the Gold Tower Award for Social Issues at the New York Film & TV Festival 2026, and Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music, winner of Best History Documentary Program or Series at the Canadian Screen Awards 2025.
Matt has delivered work for major broadcasters across the UK, Europe and the US, as well as streamers and theatrical releases. From Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me to ambitious factual series following scientists into the Siberian wilderness, he brings the same calm editorial judgement, pace and clarity to even the most complex material, always in service of the story.
Collaborative, experienced and technically versatile, Matt enjoys working closely with directors and edit producers while also being equally confident shaping stories independently. Based in London, he is available for productions worldwide.
Work by Matt
Live Aid at 40: When Rock’N’Roll Took On the World
Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music
Inside China’s Tech Boom
Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky
Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes
Chinese Chariots Revealed
Live Aid at 40: When Rock’N’Roll Took On the World
This compelling series of films for BBC and CNN Originals, mark the anniversary of the landmark 1985 concert that redefined charity for a generation. Blending the stories of UK and US musicians with the politics that shaped their mission.
The series features exclusive interviews with Bob Geldof, Bono, Sting and Midge Ure. It explores how music united billions to fight famine and inspired global leaders like George Bush and Tony Blair to address the deeper causes of poverty.
Paid in Full: The Battle for Black Music
From executive producers Idris and Sabrina Elba, alongside Greg Sanderson of Supercollider and Julie Bristow of Catalyst, narrated by actress and playwright Zawe Ashton, for BBC.
Paid In Full: The Battle for Black Music is a three-part documentary series that delves into the systemic racism Black artists have faced in the music industry, from its beginnings to the streaming era. It highlights trailblazing artists, the rise of Black-owned labels, and the historic injustices they endured, including unequal profits despite shaping popular music—from jazz and rock to soul and rap. The series offers a deep look at the triumphs and struggles of Black artists fighting for recognition, autonomy, and fair compensation in an industry stacked against them.
Inside China’s Tech Boom
The documentary provides viewers with unprecedented access to leading Chinese tech companies and research laboratories, shedding light on the nation’s strategies for innovation and technological advancement. It examines the driving forces behind China’s bid for technological supremacy and considers the implications of its rise for the future of the global economy.
Directed by Xinyan Yu and David Borenstein, and featuring insights from tech expert Kaiser Kuo, the episode delves into the inner workings of China’s tech industry, exploring how the country has managed to transform itself into a science and technology powerhouse in such a short span of time.
Ronnie Wood – Somebody Up There Likes Me
Through candid interviews and archival footage, the documentary explores Wood’s artistic endeavours beyond music, highlighting his work as a visual artist. It also addresses his personal struggles, including battles with addiction, and celebrates his resilience and longevity in the rock ‘n’ roll world.
Featuring appearances by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Rod Stewart, and artist Damien Hirst, the film provides insights into Wood’s dynamic personality and his contributions to music and art
John and Yoko: Above Us Only Sky
Billed as “the untold story” of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’, the documentary also explores how Lennon and Ono’s art, politics and music were intrinsically entwined.
This 90 minute film features unseen and restored archive footage featuring John, Yoko, George Harrison, Phil Spector and David Bailey; and new interviews with Yoko Ono, Julian Lennon, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Alan White, Jack Douglas, Dan Richter, Tariq Ali and Elliot Mintz.
Directed by Michael Epstein for Channel 4.
Phil Spencer’s Stately Homes
Property expert Phil Spencer visits some of Britain’s best stately homes to learn about their rich history and enormous upkeep cost in this factual entertainment series.
Each episode offers viewers an exclusive look inside these remarkable residences, exploring their construction, evolution, and the stories of the families who have inhabited them for generations. Spencer’s journey takes him from the Scottish Lowlands to the South Downs, revealing the cultural and historical significance of these properties. The series not only showcases the grandeur of these homes but also provides insights into the challenges of maintaining such estates in the modern era.
Chinese Chariots Revealed
Chinese Chariot Revealed offers a compelling blend of historical investigation and practical experimentation, shedding light on how these ancient vehicles not only revolutionised warfare but also played a pivotal role in unifying China.
The documentary brings together a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, historians, and engineers who reconstruct a 2,700-year-old battle chariot based on archaeological findings from a Zhou Dynasty burial site in Zaoyang, Hubei Province. Through this reconstruction, the team investigates the chariot’s design, including its unique wooden joints and intricate bronze fittings, to understand the technological innovations that contributed to its effectiveness and longevity in warfare.