Silverback Films

We’re thrilled to announce that Silverback Films Co-Founder Keith Scholey has been presented with a fellowship from the Royal Television Society (RTS). The ceremony took place last night (Wednesday 5th November) during the annual RTS Patrons’ Dinner at One Great George Street, and recognises industry luminaries who have made a remarkable, meaningful and enduring impact on UK television. The award was handed out by Jane Turton, RTS Chair and CEO of All3Media.

Born and raised in East Africa, Keith qualified as a Zoologist with both a degree and PhD from Bristol University. In 1982 began working with the BBC Natural History Unit as a researcher and subsequently became a producer. In 1998 he was appointed the Head of the Natural History Unit and then In 2002 he was appointed Controller of Specialist Factual, responsible for BBC Natural History, Science, History, Arts, Business and Religious in house productions.  In 2006 he was appointed the Controller of Factual Production, responsible for all BBC ‘in house’ Factual television production across England and also the Deputy Chief Creative Officer for Vision Productions. In 2008 he left the BBC to pursue an independent career in natural history cinema and television production. 

Keith’s work has brought the wonders of the natural world to millions of viewers across the globe, inspiring awe, awareness, and action for our planet. Productions he’s been responsible have been recognised for industry leading awards including the Emmys, BAFTA, RTS, Wildscreen Panda and Jackson Hole.

Keith is co-director and executive producer of ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’, a co-director and producer of ‘Disneynature: Sea Lions of the Galapagos’ and producer of ‘Disneynature: Guardians of the Galapagos’. His other recent credits include series producer of the Netflix series ‘Life on Our Planet’ and executive producer of Netflix’s series ‘Our Planet II’. He is a series producer of first season of ‘Our Planet’, executive producer of the BBC One series ‘A Perfect Planet’, ‘The Mating Game’ and ‘The Earthshot Prize’ and National Geographic’s feature ‘Billy and Molly’.  He also is a director of the Netflix feature film ‘David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet’.

We’re so proud to see his extraordinary contribution to television recognised with this fellowship, joining an esteemed list of 2025 recipients including Matt Brittin, ex-President, Google EMEA; Charlie Brooker, award-winning Screenwriter and Producer; Richard Cowles, Managing Director, Lifted Entertainment (part of ITV Studios); Stacey Dooley, Presenter and Journalist; Emma Gormley, Managing Director, ITV Studios Daytime; James Graham, Playwright and Screenwriter; Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Journalist and Presenter, Channel 4 News; and Sarah Rose, President of Channel 5 and UK Regional Lead, Paramount Global.

2024 Fellowship recipients Rosie Jones, Comedian, Writer, and Actor; and Stephen Merchant, Comedian, Actor, Writer, and Director, also attended the Patrons’ Dinner to celebrate their Awards.

Theresa Wise, CEO of the Royal Television Society, said: “The RTS Fellowships have recognised some amazing creatives, practitioners and leaders over the years, and this year is no different. From landmark series and momentous news stories, to groundbreaking innovations in TV and technology, it was fantastic to come together last night to celebrate their many achievements. We’re sure their work will continue to inspire the next generation of talent in our industry.”

For more information on the RTS’ Fellowships and Trustees please visit: https://rts.org.uk/about-us/whos-who

We’re excited to share the trailer for our brand-new four part series for BBC One and iPlayer: Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles which follows wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin as he reveals hidden wildlife gems from across the four countries of the UK.

Tune into the first episode on BBC One this Sunday 12th October at 6.15pm. 

Here’s an interview with Hamza, diving into our year-long journey where he shares some of the highlights and challenges of filming wildlife of the British Isles – as well as his aspirations for the series.

Why did you want to explore the British Isles specifically?

The British Isles are one of the most important groups of islands worldwide when it comes to wildlife and we have some incredible species that I think are worth filming. As it’s so close to home, it’s something that I love and know very well, as I’ve been filming it for at least the last 20 years.

What was the most special moment you captured whilst you were traveling the British Isles?

Everything, but that’s not an answer!

I absolutely loved filming sharks. I’m normally there with a long lens, sat on the side of a jeep filming wildlife, but to be given the opportunity to pick up an underwater camera, go out into the Celtic deep, 35 miles from mainland Wales and film blue sharks for the very first time, was out of this world. It was so special and to see them so close and then bumping my dome on my camera was just so beautiful and to be able to share that with the public is fantastic.

Was there anything that you saw that you thought you would never get to see, let alone capture on camera?

There’s so many things in this series that I had a wishlist to try and film, and the prime example is Bitterns. I am an avid birder, I hear them all the time, I’ve seen them a handful of times, but to be able to witness and film a mating sequence like that was so beautiful. Especially the booming, I personally feel that no one’s ever really filmed it like that before, so it was really incredible.

For probably the first time in the UK, we filmed blue fin tuna off the coast of Devon, seen in such good quality. They were so close that we were able to film them from land, we didn’t even need to go out on a boat to get it, that’s a first as well.

What was it like filming with your nieces and encouraging their enthusiasm for wildlife?

It’s wonderful to be able to share the natural world with the next generation. We should be educating them about it, so they have a chance to take care of it in the future when it’s their turn. To able to spend that good uncle-niece time with both of them, and seeing their smiles, really put things into perspective.

You’ll see in the sequence one of them says, “You look stressed,” and I’m like, “I am stressed”, because I’m thinking about the production and what if the badgers don’t come out. But to see it from her perspective, was like a breath of fresh air, and reminded me that I should be enjoying this, I shouldn’t be panicking. And lo and behold, the badgers turned up and you see them just beaming with smiles and I’m beaming too, I think I even danced at the end of it, I was so happy.

After seven decades filming every aspect of the natural world, David Attenborough delivers his greatest message of hope in our spectacular new film, Ocean with David Attenborough. 

The powerful documentary film from Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios is set for release as a global cinema event from 8 May, which also coincides with David Attenborough’s 99th birthday.

Ocean with David Attenborough takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the  ocean. In the film the celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.

Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching. Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen.

Ocean with David Attenborough will invite audiences worldwide to come together to experience Attenborough’s untold story of the ocean on the big screen. Altitude will release the film in the UK & Ireland and have partnered with Piece of Magic Entertainment to release the film in the rest of the world, including in Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and South Africa.  Additional countries are still to be announced. Visit Altitude.film/Ocean for more.

The film will be available globally on National Geographic, Disney+ and Hulu later this year.

The Global Cinema Event is timed ahead of World Ocean Day, June’s United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 in Nice, France, and midway through the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). As world leaders decide the fate of our ocean, Ocean with David Attenborough will show why ocean recovery is vital for stabilising our climate and securing a healthier future for us all, and how marine protection – if immediately implemented – can help to turn the tide.

David Attenborough said,

“My lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Over the last hundred years, scientists and explorers have revealed remarkable new species, epic migrations and dazzling, complex ecosystems beyond anything I could have imagined as a young man. In this film, we share some of those wonderful discoveries, uncover why our ocean is in such poor health, and, perhaps most importantly, show how it can be restored to health.  This could be the moment of change. Nearly every country on Earth has just agreed, on paper, to achieve this bare minimum and protect a third of the ocean. Together, we now face the challenge of making it happen.”

Ocean with David Attenborough is a Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios co-production, in association with All3Media International, National Geographic, and Minderoo Pictures.  The film is directed by Toby Nowlan, Keith Scholey and Colin Butfield and produced by Nowlan. The film is co-produced by Arksen & 10% for the Ocean, Don Quixote Foundation, National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas, Revive Our Ocean, and The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

Responding to the issues facing the ocean as featured in the film, one of the film’s partners, Dynamic Planet, is launching a new global initiative, Revive Our Ocean, to turn inspiration into action. The initiative supports coastal communities worldwide to protect and restore their ocean backyards.

We’re proud to share that Silverback Films has once again made Broadcast’s ‘Best Places to Work in TV’ 2025 Winners list. The awards celebrate those creating great workplaces and setting a high standard in the TV industry.

We attended the Best Places to Work in TV event in London last week, joining production companies from across the country to hear what matters to employees, and in coming together to share positive initiatives and ideas to support talent and improve wellbeing.

See the full list of winners here: https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/best-places-to-work-2025

Our Nat Geo documentary special, Billy & Molly: An Otter Love story, is now available to watch in the UK on Disney+ and to celebrate it’s release the film’s stars have been sharing more about the heart-warming story.

Produced by Silverback Films, and from Director Charlie Hamilton James and Producer Jeff Wilson, the film follows Billy, a salt-of-the-earth philosopher and Molly, a half-drowned, starving young female otter that Billy stumbles on one rainy evening in the Scottish subarctic. From there, an unlikely relationship begins that eventually saves them both. Billy & Molly is a remarkable story of trust, of joy and a shared love of the simple things in life.

From the front page of national newspapers, to radio shows and podcasts, and even appearing in the studio on ‘Sky News’ and ‘BBC Breakfast’, Billy Mail and Susan Mail have captured the hearts of the nation, with the film making headlines:

“…riverting, uplifting and utterly enchanting” – The Telegraph

“..a pleasure of a film about an unlikely bond” – The Guardian

“Good golly, Miss Molly, what a powerful, profound impact you have made.” – Express

“It’s not your usual facts and figures wildlife documentary. This is a truly beautiful film, visually stunning, spiritually uplifting” – The Scotsman

This week Billy and Susan joined the hosts of ITV’s ‘This Morning’ live from Shetland, catch the full interview (which aired on 27 Nov) below.

Billy and Molly: An Otter Love Story on National Geographic channel on 23^rd December at 3pm or stream it now on Disney+

Our documentary film Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story has been nominated for 6 Critics Choice Awards!

From Silverback Films, directed by distinguished photographer and filmmaker Charlie Hamilton James, our film follows heartfelt journey of Billy and a wild otter, Molly, as they navigate a world of love, laughter, and unexpected companionship.

‘Billy and Molly’ has been nominated for; Best Documentary Feature, Best New Documentary Filmmaker – Charlie Hamilton James, Best Cinematography – Johnny Rolt and Bertie Gregory, Best Score – Erland Cooper, Best Narration (written by Charlie Hamilton James, performed by Billy Mail and Susan Mail), and Best Science / Nature Documentary.

Our film sits alongside the other documentaries leading the Critics Choice Association‘s ninth annual awards, with winners announced in a ceremony in NYC on November 10, 2024.

“This year’s nominated films and series offered us new ways to see the world, celebrate our heroes, and better understand difficult histories,” said Christopher Campbell, Critics Choice Association’s VP, Documentary. “We are excited to honor so many exceptional documentaries as we continue to recognize diverse voices and styles within the realm of nonfiction storytelling.”

Huge congratulations to the talented team, and to the films’ stars for sharing this truly unforgettable story.

Read more: https://www.criticschoice.com/2024/10/14/nominations-unveiled-for-the-ninth-annual-critics-choice-documentary-awards/

Wildscreen Festival is the biggest global gathering of natural world storytellers – the annual festival is taking place 14-18 October. The celebration, which takes place in Bristol and online, unites filmmakers, storytellers, and conservationists to champion the protection of our planet through impactful storytelling.

Silverback Films is proud to participate, celebrating our commitment to telling stories about the natural world that not only inspire, but that also make a difference.

Jeff Wilson, Series Producer and Director at Silverback Films and the Chair of the Festival Advisory Board said:

“Wildscreen 2024 comes at a crucial time in our industry’s history – one in which the commissioning landscape is changing rapidly forcing the genre to innovate and adapt. This year’s festival is designed to bring industry leaders and creatives together to celebrate our achievements, to motivate our community towards this new world, and most importantly to reconnect with a community whose power has always lain in the strength of our relationships and collective love of the natural world. Silverback is so proud to be at the centre of all of those ambitions, and above all, we are excited to welcome all of our international friends to Bristol. It’s going to be a Wildscreen to remember!”

Silverback Films is participating in the following:

SPECIAL SCREENING

‘BILLY & MOLLY: AN OTTER LOVE STORY’ + Q & A. Sunday 13^th October, 19:45 – 21:15 – Bristol Megascreen

Speakers: Jeff Wilson & Charlie Hamilton James

A special screening of our Nat Geo feature Billy & Molly – a heart-warming story of love between a wild otter and a man set in the remote Scottish islands of Shetland. The screening. Featuring a Q&A with Silverback’s Jeff Wilson, Producer, and Director Charlie Hamilton James.

HEADLINER

IN CONVERSATION WITH: CHARLOTTE MOORE. Monday. 14^th October, 12:00 – 13:00 Attenborough Auditorium.
Hosted by: Alastair Fothergill
Speakers: Charlotte Moore

Silverback Films Co-founder and Director Alastair Fothergill hosts a frank conversation with BBC Chief Content Officer and long-time fan of natural history Charlotte Moore about the BBC’s Natural History legacy, the evolution of the genre, its current output and her vision for the future of natural history on the BBC.

MASTERCLASS.

THE ART OF PUTTING WORDS TO PICTURE: SCRIPTWRITING IN THE EDIT.  Monday 14^th October, 15:30 – 16:30 – Parsons Theatre
Speakers: Jeff Wilson & Polly Billam

Join this scriptwriting masterclass and learn how you can bring the narrative to life through your choice of words. To build emotion, connection, laughter and knowledge, find out how with Silverback’s Jeff Wilson and Polly Billam

MASTERCLASS

ANATOMY OF LIFE ON OUR PLANET. Tuesday October 15^th, 12:00-13:00 – Bristol Megascreen
Hosted by: Naida Albright
Speakers: Dan Tapster, Sophie Lanfear, Barny Revill & Jonathan Privett

Our ground-breaking Netflix series Life on Our Planet, described by The New Yorker as “the most ambitious nature documentary ever made,” blends epic modern wildlife scenes with world-class VFX of ancient creatures to tell the greatest story – the story of life. The Silverback team Dan Tapster, Sophie Lanfear, and Barny Revill, along with Jonathan Privett from Industrial Light & Magic, will reveal the anatomy of this groundbreaking production and share insights into the six years of work that brought it to life.

MASTERCLASS

CINEMATOGRAPHY MASTERS: DRONES. Wednesday 16^th October, 15:30 – 16:30 – Parsons Theatre

Hosted by: Patrick Evans

Speakers: Darren Clementson, Abi Thomas & Anthony Njuguna

Explore the world of drone cinematography with Silverback’s Tech & Drone Manager Darren Clementon alongside others. This masterclass delves into the unique skills and techniques that make drones an essential tool for capturing stunning, cinematic aerial views, transforming how stories are told from above.

HEADLINER

ADDRESSING THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: AN INDUSTRY IN FLUX. Thursday 17^th October, 10:30-11:30 – Attenborough Audiotorium
Hosted by: Clive Whittingham
Speakers: Vanessa Berlowitz, Keith Scholey & Walter Koehler

There is a cold wind blowing through our industry affecting large numbers of our community – what does that mean for the future of the wildlife and environmental genre? Are there lessons from the past that can help inform the future, or are we in a brand-new world? Silverback Films Co-founder and Director Keith Scholey joins other production company founders and experienced filmmakers to discuss what would they do, knowing what they know now, if they were in the mid-point of their career? And what does a good future look like to them?

SESSION

STORIES THAT CHANGE THE WORLD. Thursday 17^th October, 17:00 – 18:00 Parsons Theatre
Hosted by Alex Bowmer
Speakers: Chris Howard & Carolina Fernandes

Explore the power of impact storytelling through the lens of experienced filmmakers – Silverback’s Chris Howard, and Carolina Fernandes. Hear how different creators approach storytelling with purpose, highlighting successful case studies that demonstrate its importance in driving change. This session offers a deep dive into the ways impactful narratives can resonate with audiences and make a lasting difference in the production process, and the communities, habitats and species they portray.

SOCIAL

TALENT SPEED NETWORKING: TAKING THE NEXT STEP. Friday 18^th October, 10:30 – 13:00 BBC Natural History Unit (RSVP only)

Wildscreen is inviting early and mid-career Assistant Producers, Edit Assistants, Production Coordinators and Researchers to sit down one to one with Talent Managers, Producers and Executives to discuss progression and upcoming opportunities in the Natural History Storytelling industry. Our team will be joining this networking event to chat with talent and share advice.

Panda Award nominations

The Wildscreen Panda Awards celebrate the very best in the natural world storytelling craft and are one of the highest honours in the international wildlife film and TV industry. They recognise that natural history has never been more important as we face the greatest environmental crisis of our time.

This year, Silverback Films has received 6 nominations for outstanding achievements across five productions:

• Wild Isles: Ocean for ‘Cinematography’
• Billy & Molly: An Otter Love Story for ‘Cinematography’, ‘Producer / Director’ and ‘Scripted Narrative’
• Hamza: Strictly Birds of Prey for ‘On-screen Talent’
• Save Our Wild Isles for ‘Sustainability’

Our work, and industry, takes global audiences to the world’s most remote, inhospitable and threatened environments, shining a spotlight on species and habitats that most people will never have the opportunity to experience. The Panda Awards celebrates the human endeavour and unique skill that it takes to connect nature’s stories with global audiences.

A huge congratulations to the incredible individuals behind these productions, and to all those nominated. The winners will be announced at the Panda Awards Ceremony on 17th October 2024, which take place alongside the Wildscreen Festival.

On 26 September our Silverback Films internal Pride Committee hosted the first queer focused industry party in Bristol ‘Pride 365’. Over 150 people from across the industry came together to celebrate and raise money for Pride without Borders – a charity supporting queer refugees in Bristol.

The night included an array of on-stage performances and DJ sets (including a special industry guest DJ from Silverback), Divine Di in her mystic booth, as well as queer artists and creatives from Bristol and Cardiff promoting their work.

Ellie Jo Hilton, on behalf of our Pride Committee shared:

“The whole vibe of the night was filled with love and joy, and miraculously very little networking to be heard amongst the crowd! It was great to be joined by so many from the MA course at UWE, some who had handed in their final films that very day, and others who had only started their course that day.

Most importantly, the main reason for throwing the event in the first place was to raise some money for Bristol Refugee Rights, Pride without Borders. An amazing charity supporting queer refugees in our city. After the hostility seen around the UK over the summer, all we really wanted to do as a pride committee this year was to support those in need in our community, and at the same time bring people together to dance, be merry and celebrate their pride. Mission success.

Thank you so much to all that came and donated, and I think we might be seeing you again for another boogie next year!”

Thank you to the Silverback Films Pride Committee for organising, and everyone that joined.

Today (25 Sept) Silverback Films hosted a showcase for women, transgender, and non-binary freelance camera operators, working within the natural history film & TV industry.

It was an afternoon celebrating diverse filmmaking talent, and opportunity for our Senior Producers, Producers, and wider production teams to connect with those underrepresented behind the lens.

We recognise there’s a long way to go in making our industry more inclusive – and embracing diversity not only creates opportunities for underrepresented voices, but also enriches the stories we’re able to tell. We’re committed to nurturing up-and-coming, and underrepresented talent, and supporting more diversity behind our productions, within our workplace, and our industry as a whole.

Thank you to all those that attended.