MediaCity-based creative studio Fuzzy Duck has been commissioned by Moors for the Future Partnership to produce a documentary about the about the fire and restoration of the Goyt Valley in the heart of the Peak District National Park to mark the first anniversary of last year’s fire.
The story, about both the local landscape and the community pulling together to rebuild it, features some of the most picturesque scenery to be found in the UK, but on 30th April 2025, that was put in jeopardy when a devastating moorland fire burned over 1.7 square kilometres of the precious landscape for two days.
A year on, powerful new documentary After the Smoke Clears tells a moving story of resilience, recovery, and community spirit in the wake of environmental destruction. Centred on the moorland of the GoytValley, the documentary captures both the immediate aftermath of the fire and the ongoing efforts to restore and protect this vital ecosystem.
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Filmed over the course of a year, After the Smoke Clears weaves together stunning visuals of the recovering landscape with the voices of those closest to it – local volunteers, conservationists, and businesses working tirelessly to support regeneration and build resilience against future fires.
Emma Shaw, communications programme manager at the Moors for the Future Partnership, said: “The documentary is an expression of hope and appreciation for this well-loved area of moorland, where new life has returned after the fire. We’re delighted to tell the story of how the moor is starting to heal with the help of people who love and care for this place.”
Fuzzy Duck’s Nigel Moore, who directs, alongside director of photography Tom Ellison and editor Lili Blot, use the landscape itself as a narrative device, capturing everything from the ash-covered terrain just days after the fire, to the misty, regenerating moors through the seasons.
The result is a “visually rich and emotionally compelling short documentary that highlights both the fragility and resilience of the natural world” which tells a story of community, resilience, nature fighting for survival… and of one massive fire.
The film is available to watch on the Moors for the Future Partnership’s YouTube channel.
