Help Bring
Gates of Fire
to the Screen
Every strike has a story.
Every fighter has a reason.
The Forge Is Lit
Every pledge is poured into the film. Watch the steel rise — and add your name to the people forging Gates of Fire.
For years, Florida Armored Combat has introduced thousands of people to the world of armored combat, historical martial arts, engineering, craftsmanship, and medieval culture through public demonstrations, educational programs, tournaments, and community outreach. FAC's mission extends far beyond combat: we use the sport of buhurt to teach history, STEM concepts, teamwork, physical fitness, and leadership while building communities throughout Florida.
Now, we're taking that story to a larger audience.
Gates of Fire is more than an event. It is a journey into one of the most intense and authentic medieval combat experiences in North America, where fighters, craftsmen, volunteers, and enthusiasts gather to test themselves, build community, and preserve living history.
Our documentary will follow the people behind the armor, capturing their training, sacrifices, victories, and the passion that drives them to step onto the field.
But we need your help to make it happen.
The Event
What Is Gates of Fire
Gates of Fire is a large-scale medieval combat and immersive event that brings together hundreds of participants for combat, competition, education, and community-building experiences. Fighters train year-round to compete in physically demanding battles while organizers, craftsmen, historians, and volunteers work behind the scenes to create an unforgettable experience.
This documentary will capture:
- The preparation leading up to the event
- Fighter training and team development
- The craftsmanship behind armor and equipment
- Personal stories of competitors and volunteers
- The educational and historical aspects of armored combat
- The challenges, triumphs, and camaraderie that define the community
Your Impact
How Your Donation Helps
Every contribution directly supports documentary production and event coverage.
Funding Priorities
Production Equipment
- Cameras
- Audio recording equipment
- Lighting and accessories
Distribution
- Film festival submissions
- Educational screenings
- Public release and promotion
Travel & Logistics
- Transportation to and from the event
- Lodging and production expenses
- Equipment transport
Post-Production
- Editing
- Sound design
- Color correction
- Graphics and animation
The Untold Story
Why This Documentary Matters
Most people have never seen real armored combat.
What they don't see is:
- The months of training
- The engineering behind armor design
- The historical research
- The physical conditioning
- The teamwork and sportsmanship
- The educational opportunities for youth and adults
Florida Armored Combat works with educators, engineers, metallurgists, blacksmiths, and historians to connect medieval history with modern learning. This documentary will preserve those stories while introducing a wider audience to a growing sport and community.
FAC is pleased to partner with Davis Shaw, the owner of Errant Agency.
Davis Shaw earned his MFA in Writing and Directing, where he wrote, produced, and directed his award-winning proof-of-concept film, Buhurt. The film went on to win over 10 awards at film festivals around the world, including five Best Film honors. What began as a graduate thesis quickly became proof that there was a global audience for grounded, character-driven stories set in the world of armored combat.
Now Davis returns to the world of Buhurt to direct Steel and Fire, a documentary exploring the expansion of the sport in the state of Florida. With firsthand experience telling stories in the world of armored combat, and a deep respect for the athletes who dedicate themselves to it, Davis aims to capture not just the combat, but the culture, camaraderie, and cooperative competition behind the armor.
For Businesses
Sponsorship Opportunities
Businesses and organizations interested in supporting the project can receive:
- Documentary credits
- Website recognition
- Social media acknowledgment
- Event sponsorship opportunities
- Promotional partnership discussions
For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Florida Armored Combat directly.
Be Part of It
Join the Story
Every fighter who steps onto the field carries a story worth telling.
Every volunteer, craftsman, coach, and supporter helps keep this community alive.
By donating today, you become part of preserving a unique sport, an educational mission, and the people who dedicate themselves to it.
Together, we can bring the story of Gates of Fire to audiences who have never witnessed the passion, discipline, and community behind the armor.
Make Your
Contribution
Today
Support the Gates of Fire Documentary and help preserve the legacy of armored combat for future generations.
Who We Are
About Florida Armored Combat
Florida Armored Combat is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and promoting the sport of buhurt through public events, historical education, STEM engagement, martial arts training, and community development across Florida. FAC currently supports multiple teams throughout the state and continues to expand opportunities for participation, education, and public engagement.
Back the Film
Choose Your Reward
Climb the ranks — from Founding Donor to Duke & Duchess of the Domain. Every donation tier helps bring Gates of Fire to the screen and earns you a permanent place in our story.
Support the documentary because you believe in it.
Name acknowledgement as a film backer on the Founding Donors page of the FAC website.
Includes
- Acknowledgement as a film backer on the FAC website
A printed photo of knight(s), personally signed by one or more knights.
Includes
- Signed knight photo
- Acknowledgement as a film backer on the FAC website
An FAC exclusive founder's sticker pack and bookmark, plus all lower-tier rewards.
Includes
- Exclusive FAC sticker pack and bookmark
- Signed knight photo
- Acknowledgement as a film backer on the FAC website
A deluxe printed certificate honoring the founding donor, a digital download of the documentary film, and all lower-tier rewards. Certificates ship roughly 5 months after the campaign ends; the film download is estimated around August 2027.
Includes
- Deluxe printed certificate
- Digital download of the film in HD
- Exclusive FAC sticker pack and bookmark
- All lower-tier rewards
Founding Baron's Banner Bearers donor-level acknowledgement on the printed certificate and website, a T-shirt with the Founding Donor FAC logo, and all lower-tier rewards.
Includes
- Baron's Banner Bearers donor-level acknowledgement
- T-shirt with Founding Donor FAC logo
- All lower-tier rewards (film download, certificate, stickers, signed photo, name credit)
Founding Viscount's Vanguard donor-level acknowledgement on the printed certificate and website, a personalized athletic jacket with the FAC Founding Donor logo, and all lower-tier rewards.
Includes
- Viscount's Vanguard donor-level acknowledgement
- Personalized FAC-logo athletic jacket
- T-shirt with Founding Donor logo
- Deluxe printed certificate
- All lower-tier rewards
Founding Count's Companions donor-level acknowledgement on the printed certificate and website, a custom FAC logo duffel bag, and all lower-tier rewards.
Includes
- Count's Companions donor-level acknowledgement
- Custom FAC-logo duffel bag
- Personalized FAC-logo athletic jacket
- T-shirt with Founding Donor logo
- All lower-tier rewards
Founding Earl of Earnestness donor-level acknowledgement on the printed certificate and website, a custom 3D-printed statue of an FAC knight, and all lower-tier rewards. The statue is sized for display on a shelf — it will NOT be life-size.
Includes
- Earl of Earnestness donor-level acknowledgement
- Custom 3D-printed statue of a knight (display size)
- Custom FAC-logo duffel bag
- All lower-tier rewards
An invitation to join FAC for a VIP behind-the-scenes pass for the donor and one guest during documentary filming, including 2 nights' accommodation near the filming site. Travel to central Florida is required at the donor's own expense in October 2026; travel and other incidental costs are the donor's responsibility. Includes Founding Duke & Duchess of the Domain donor-level acknowledgement on the printed certificate and website, plus all lower-tier rewards.
Includes
- Duke & Duchess of the Domain donor-level acknowledgement
- VIP Behind-the-Scenes Pass for 2 adults
- Custom 3D-printed statue of a knight
- All lower-tier rewards