Today we celebrating the incredible women behind our productions – their talent, passion, and dedication continue to push the boundaries of natural history filmmaking, both in front of and behind the camera.
This year’s #IWD2025 theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ emphasising the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
We asked Georgia Hall, one of our brilliant production coordinators, and Elissa Grover, one of our office runners, to share their experiences, challenges, and insights as women working in natural history TV.
Georgia Hall, Production Coordinator
How did you get into TV / Film production?
Ultimately, it was my mum who inspired me to work in a creative industry as her career was as a graphic designer and photographer. My route into wildlife TV / film production hasn’t been straight forward though and I’m really proud of that journey. I have never been someone who knows what I want to do ‘when I grow up’ other than to do something creative. I have a degree in Film and TV production with a focus on cinematography but that wasn’t what got me to where I am now.
From camera assisting to dabbling in home economy on food shows to assistant directing on multiple dramas, I have tried out most roles and most genres. As I was jumping from role to role, people would often tell me to stick to one thing because they found it easier to fit me into one role/box which has never made sense to me. When I decided I wanted to do more wildlife based filmmaking, I decided to go and train as a safari guide, rather than going back to uni to study biology / zoology. By having this broad range of job background, it’s given me a brilliant and diverse knowledge base that I now bring into my role as production coordinator within wildlife filmmaking, the ability to confidently wear many different hats when filming on location and options when considering my next role at the inevitable end of a contract.
Was there a moment in your career where you felt truly empowered or proud to be a woman in this industry?
The moment in my career that I felt truly empowered and proud to be a woman in this industry was when I was invited to talk about the innovation and new practices recently implemented by Silverback’s Green Team at the Bristol Heads of Production meeting and it was significant because at that particular meeting, everyone in the room was a woman, everyone was equal regardless of role and background and everyone was listened to! It’s was inspiring to be in a room filled with women in leadership
What do you wish you’d known at the beginning of your career?
At the beginning of my career, I wish I had understood that men look at job applications differently to women. Men might look at a list of requirements on an application and be confident in their ability to do only half of the list at the point of application, with plans to learn the rest on the job. A woman is more likely to look at the same list and won’t apply to a job unless she feels confident that at the point of application that she can do most, if not all, of the required skills. This changed my way of looking and thinking when applying for jobs. If you can already do all of the things on the required skills list, where is the room for your growth within the role and are you potentially underselling yourself? Be confident in your skills, ability to learn and your worth as an employee beyond a companies desired list of skills.
International women’s day to me is a day of unity with all women across the world celebrating each other, together. It’s a reminder that society still has a long way to go to achieve equality for women… it’s day for our voices to be amplified and remembered.
Elissa Grover, Office Runner
What inspired you to work in the field / what was your route into TV / Film production?
I’ve always been passionate about natural history filmmaking and knew I wanted to be involved in the production process, but I didn’t initially feel that I was suited for a career in natural history content. It wasn’t until I began my zoology degree that a friend said to me, “Someone has to do that job – why shouldn’t it be you?” This moment gave me the confidence to pursue my interest in natural history research and filmmaking.
My degree further fuelled this passion, exposing me to incredible research that I was eager to share with a wider audience. I began reaching out to professionals in the industry, asking about their career paths and how I could contribute. When a new master’s program in Science and Communication was introduced, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to refine my skills in communicating complex science to the public. During my master’s year, I continued networking and was eventually accepted onto Silverback’s work experience program. This experience taught me a great deal about the industry, and I was able to make valuable contacts with experienced professionals. After completing my degree, I was hired as a runner at Silverback Films. I’m excited to continue growing in the industry and hope to contribute to natural history filmmaking that inspires others to care about the natural world.
Have you faced any challenges as a woman in this industry, and how have you overcome them?
As a junior member of the company, one challenge I’ve faced is instructing more senior male colleagues. As a woman, I sometimes worry about being perceived as “bossy” or “difficult,” and often make personal sacrifices to accommodate them. I believe a male in the same position might not face these same concerns and could be treated with more respect and authority. To overcome this, I’ve found it helpful to discuss any challenges with my female superior, who provides valuable support and guidance, enabling me to carry out my duties effectively.
What changes would you like to see in the industry to better support women?
In the natural history film industry, I’d love to see more initiatives that support women, particularly through networking and mentorship. One idea would be to create regular, informal gatherings—such as coffee meet-ups or networking lunches—where women can connect, share experiences, and learn from female mentors further along in their careers. These events could be a mix of group discussions, where women can explore industry challenges and opportunities, along with 1-on-1 mentoring sessions for deeper, personalised guidance. Such initiatives would provide valuable support, fostering a sense of community and empowering women to navigate challenges in this industry.