This Bee Movie, Our Future

Director Statement

There are few things more relaxing than sitting among the blossoms in the English countryside on a warm spring day, listening to the gentle hum of bees as they go about their work. Pair that with my passion for macro photography, and I am in heaven.

Before becoming a filmmaker, I worked as an electrical and mechanical engineer - problem-solving was my profession. Filming the intricate world of bees with a heavy camera setup requires just as much ingenuity. Working within millimetres of my tiny subjects, I often rest my lens gently on their backs or brush against their sides. My macro-probe lens is fully manual, meaning I must pre-set the aperture, lighting, and focus before filming. This technique, often called “focus and recompose,” demands instinct and experience. With no time to check a monitor as I shoot, I rely on my deep understanding of both the bees’ movements and my camera’s position. After hours in the field, I begin to tune in - anticipating their behaviours and capturing moments with greater precision. Each bee has its own personality, and I quickly learn which ones to follow and which to leave undisturbed.

Six months may seem like a long time to create a three-minute film, but for me, every moment is time well spent.