Shadowplayers is a two hour documentary film by James Nice tracing the early history of iconic Manchester Label Factory Records between 1978 and 1981.

The facts and the fictions are explored through candid interviews with 22 key participants, including Anthony H. Wilson (Founder) and Peter Saville (Designer), as well as musicians including Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order), Vini Reilly (Durutti Common), Simon Topping and Martin Moscrop (A Certain Ratio), Chris Watson (Cabaret Voltaire) and Howard Devoto (Buzzcocks/Magazine).

The film is divided into 19 chapters, covering subjects such as The Factory Club, sleeve art and graphic design, producer Martin Hannett, the riot at the Joy Division concert at Bury in April 1980, The Factory Beneleux connection, the tragic suicide of Joy Division singer Ian Curtis, the beginnings of New Order, and the decline of the post-punk culture in 1981.

The full list of interviews comprises: Richard Boon, Larry Cassidy, Vincent Cassidy, Jaz Colman, Howard Devoto, Alan Hempsall, Annik Honore, Peter Hook, Richard Jobson, Michel Lambot, Graham Massey, Wally Van Middendorp, Stanton Miranda, Martin Moscrop, Ann Quigley, Lindsay Reade, Vini Reilly, Peter Saville, Michel Sordinia, Christophe Den Tandt, Simon Topping, Geordie Walker, Chris Watson, Anthony H, Wilson.

Shadowplayers features soundtrack music by Section 25 and New Order, as well as rare images and graphics. The DVD cover art is based on the first Factory poster design (Fac 1) by Peter Saville from 1978.