“4 hours back”

On average, people in London spend four hours a day scrolling on their phones. Four Hours Back is a short film set between London and the Peak District National Park, directed by Iman Muneer and filmed by Satsmedia, which asks what else those hours could give us?

The film shows a day in Iman’s own life, four hours in the city, where screens and noise can have a silent impact, versus four hours in the Peaks, where the same time feels expansive and grounding. The contrast is simple but powerful: one leaves you burnt out, the other restores you.

Across cultures, nature has always been essential, and science now explains why: time outdoors lowers stress, sharpens focus, and strengthens the body. This project is about showing how those hours can feel different and why spending them outdoors matters.

Thank you to National Lottery players

What was the inspiration behind your project?

“Living in London, it often feels like you’re surrounded by people but at the same time it can be very empty. Most of us are on our phones, and many struggle with anxiety, body image, and loneliness, constantly comparing themselves to what they see online. That was part of my inspiration, to show the reality of city life versus what’s possible a train ride away. Sometimes we forget places like the Peak District even exist within reach of London. It’s somewhere you can step away to and reset.”

What do National Parks mean to you?

“National Parks are essential for balance, but also for living a healthy life. In London, life feels fast, crowded, and noisy, it’s easy to feel stuck in a loop of work, screens, and stress. The Peaks remind me that open space is close by, and that you don’t have to go far to reset. For me personally, the Peaks have given me moments I’ll never forget like watching the sunrise and sunset at the highest points. Those experiences stay with you in a way hours online never will.”