Simon Richard William Hicks

Specialist Film Director and Stage Designer

Born 29 July 1955 in Brondas Nursing Home, Bristol

Died 7 March 2007 from results of brain tumour

Age 51

Son of Anne and Jerry Hicks well known Bristol artists

Educated at Bristol Cathedral School (1966-1973) and Central School Art 1975-1978 (Degree in stage design)

Founder and Director of a specialist film company Fighting Films established in 1988, which creates the world’s most highly acclaimed Judo films covering 4 Olympic Games and 9 World Championships to date. Simon also put together a series of technical films with some of the top players in the world, including Neil Adams, Karen Briggs,Toshihiko Koga and Ki-Young Jeon. He most recently completed the IJF Coaching Series, three multi-language DVDs commissioned by the International Judo Federation.

Simon was an outstanding Judo Coach in London, who along with his first wife Margaret Hicks, established Wandsworth Lightening, formerly Ernest Bevin Judo Club. It produced a number of successful senior international players including Winston Gordon, 2004 Athens Olympic Games semi-finalist and European Bronze medallist in 2006. He made the time to coach Judo at Bristol University and also lecturered on the European Judo Union judo-specific Foundation Degree at Bath University. He was recently promoted from 1 st Dan to 6 th Dan in recognition of his contribution to Judo.

Simon pioneered the filming for the use of spectacular water screens for outdoor film viewing. The multi screen vision he designed for China’s ‘Stone Forest’ won an Achievement in the Art and Sciences award for the Themed Entertainment section, which pushed the Disney nomination into second place. He was also a skilled production designer for several feature films, which included the acclaimed ‘Leon the Pig Farmer’ (1993) and ‘One More Kiss’ (1999)

During his 18 month illness he created designs for two Christmas shows in Bristol’s famous Tobacco Factory theatre. His designs for Robin Hood were acclaimed in the national press as a ‘design masterpiece’ of production and his last piece of work was publishing a book on the production of the play, entitled ‘The Adventures of Robin Hood at The Tobacco Factory’.

He had two children from his first marriage; Katie 22 years and Danny 24 years, who has recently taken on the role of Managing Director of Fighting Films. He married his long term partner Sharon da Costa in February 2006. They have a nine month old son, Harry, who has been an inspiration to everybody during this difficult period. Up until the last day of his life he was working from his bed in his home in Bristol surrounded by family and friends.

He was truly ‘a man for all seasons’. He will be greatly missed by all his family, friends and the world of Judo.

Notice published in the Bristol Post

HICKS Simon. Passed away March 7 2007 at home. Funeral service, Friday, March 16 at Bristol Cathedral, 2.30 p.m. Family flowers only, donations to Hammer Out or Marie Curie