And here it is! - Bloomin' Octopus - A Tentacular Spectacular!
This short film explores the sudden rise in octopus numbers in southwest England through a series of interconnected perspectives. Guided by an overarching narration, the camera moves fluidly between research spaces, fishing communities, kitchens and coastal waters, introducing each character as part of a wider story about adaptation and change.
Blending documentary footage with stylised visual sequences, the film aims to balance humour, energy and clarity while remaining grounded in newly released scientific research and community-led data. Rather than presenting simple answers, the story invites audiences to reconsider assumptions about marine life, industry and environmental change - showing how shifts beneath the surface ripple outward, affecting ecosystems and people alike.
For me, this project represented a hopeful next step, returning to my filmmaking roots to create projects that are personal, passionate and fun! To create conservation shorts that engage, inspire but also entertain. I have a few other ideas in mind, and hope to use this film as a springboard to apply for bigger grants, more funding and meet more likeminded creative weirdos. If you want to talk, collaborate or have ideas about where I can share this film, please do get in touch!
For now, I hope you enjoy.
Created by David Palfrey.
Shot in association with the @thembauk
Fab afternoon on Friday celebrating Big Dave's 100th birthday at one of the first ever screenings of 'Our Story' at @themarkethalluk in Plymouth. Very cool experience with such a powerful message #davidattenborough #happybirthdaydavidattenborough #happy100thbirthdaydavidattenborough đĽł
Happy 100th birthday Sir David Attenborough!! 𼳠They say you should never meet your heroes, but when @thalassalife & I did get to meet him as part of his 90th birthday celebrations (thanks @marinemamma ) he couldn't have impressed me more. Friendly, warm, witty and incredibly engaging, he enthralled the audience for over an hour afterwards with off the cuff stories from his life and career. A true legend, his likes will never be seen again 𼳠#davidattenborough #happybirthdaydavidattenborough #happy100thbirthdaydavidattenborough đĽł
Flying visit to the west coast of Scotland. The weather was cold, wet, windy and occasionally snowy. But the scenery was still beautiful and the people warm and friendly, as always đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż #oban #scotland #phdviva #workperks âď¸
Back at home reflecting on a fantastic two days last week at the inaugural National Symposium on Inshore and Small-Scale #Fisheries. We were stoked to have over 120 people in the room from a real diversity of backgrounds, including over 50 fishermen, plus managers, regulators, scientists, communicators and senior figures from Government. Thank you so much to everyone who travelled from near and far and who put so much into the discussions. The overall message from the two days was clear, the English inshore fishing fleet is currently under threat more than ever before, but the solutions are out there. Now to turn all the great ideas into reality! Huge congratulations to our whole consortium for making this happen, with special thanks to our fearless leader, Sarah Coulthard @ecpslc , along with the driving forces behind the organisation & seamless delivery - Emily Bulled @embulled , Sam Fanshawe, Martin Le Tissier, Hester Whyte and of course our incredible artist Caroline Chapple. Further huge thanks to our funders and respective organisations: @esmeefairbairn@newcastleuni , @thembauk , @bluemarinefoundation , @association_ifca0 , @whitbylobsterhatchery , @plymouth_pfsa , @scff_scot đđŚđŚđ
So ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls... What would you like to know about the #octopus bloom? There has been a media feeding frenzy for octopus news this week following the publication of our report. Check out the link my bio for more details đ #scicomm #fisheries #climatechange #science đ
