They say don’t meet your heroes but I was lucky enough to meet mine and was truly elated. At a book signing in Bristol, I didn’t have enough money to buy the book at 18 so asked the man, the great, the legend if he would sign my diary. The woman was appalled that I’d openly say I wasn’t buying his book to his face and post signing, with the worlds sweetest quote (as per the pic), she ushered me out, not before I was able to squeeze in, asking him if he’d be my grandpa. He laughed which I took as a yes.
These pics are through the years, Sir David’s signature, doodles, my obsession with birds, me surrounded by animals and nature.
Ive never directly worked with him, but he’s been the most major influence since I was about 10 and I learnt who he was and watched his films. My love for nature and animals came from him, and inspired my degree specialising in Wildlife Documentaries and Anthropomorphism calling my theses, “When doves cry 🕊️ “ - I’ve lived my entire life with a deep connection to the natural world and its beauty, healing capacity and wonder. Born on Dartmoor and now living back here, there really is no place like home.
From watching his films in awe and his voice being the soundtrack to my sleep for decades, I went on to work at the Natural History Unit, making docs in TV, into social sustainability with Paraorchestra and Big Team, then onto the best film in the world Super Nature and RAMM. l am now building my own documentary business with radical human and social impact storytelling as its heart. I’ve never been more inspired by anyone and I genuinely think most of the world might feel the same way.
Living to 100, protecting nature with the loudest voice and in the most iconic, demure way. That blue shirt!!!! A living legend.
It is safe to say, whether you are my grandpa or not, I love you Sir David Attenborough and Happy Birthday Big Man, may you outlive us all. You’re the realest and if only the world had more men like you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such an inspiration.
Watching Wild London recently brought me to tears, knowing how adaptable our own wildlife is even in cities. 🏙️ here’s to your immortality ❤️ 🎂
"Super Nature does not ignore the climate emergency, global warming, or large-scale pollution. But rather than centring shame or despair, it celebrates those who dedicate themselves to caring for the planet. It reinforces that we are not separate observers standing at a distance. We are part of the world, capable of moving within it with love and responsibility."
Read the full review on our website now
Thank you @pialundberglondon and @gbgfilmfestival@gbgfilmfestivalindustry for inviting SUPER NATURE for its International Premiere, for such a thoughtful write up - see below, and to all the people who came to our screenings for such a warm reception for us and our film.
@beccawolff27@edinstacam@phoebholman attended. Many many trains were involved as we try to honour the spirit in which the film was made and nature itself as much as we can. Not easy and trickier challenges lie ahead! For all the delays and drama, train/slower travel also has so much to offer: meeting people, stopping off places - don’t miss @ribersborgskallbadhus in malmo - and really feeling the distance is something special in itself! Thanks to the festival and @britisharts for supporting slow travel. More on that in a future post.
We learned two great Swedish words:
Flygskam - Flight shame.
Tågskryt - Train brag.
The Q+As quickly moved from filmy questions to more of a discussion about us and our relationship to nature, which we are very happy about. 🐌
We can’t wait to share SUPER NATURE with more people from different cultures. Next stops are Dublin 🚆 ⛴️ and Glasgow 🚊 Film Festivals with others to announce soon.
From the Gothenburg Film Festival programme: 🤍
“A spellbinding and tender film that offers a new perspective on one of the most pressing questions of our time: nature, and what we humans are doing to it.
In his feature debut, Ed Sayers invited people around the world to film the animals and landscapes in their immediate surroundings. The result is a moving love letter to nature and a breathtaking journey around the globe, taking us from England to the Indian Ocean, from the Grenadines to Sápmi, beautifully captured on vibrant Super 8. By embracing all that we have – and all that we stand to lose – the film opens up a new way of seeing the world, in an immersive audiovisual experience featuring around a hundred animal species. Rarely has the climate crisis been addressed with such warmth and heart.”
📷 Thanks also @svanteornberg for the official shots
Slow on the posting as I’ve had a busy old Jan but another appreciation for my Thailand friendsies part 2
Hung out with some absolute legends
Am obsessed with the new friends I’ve made - mainly @kellyonlychild and also meeting the lovely @planetkjo
Am obsessed with Oli, still the bestest joker travel buddy, pedding on the hog through the jungle, finding golden mermaids, swimming with sharks every day, kayaking with turtles and incredible drag shows…..Thailand part 2, 18 years later ❤️
Diving with Mui - an absolute highlight, so fun to explore the water and as always a new challenge with currents and mad lack of visibility - like to keep life 🌶️ .
Seeing my gorgeous Bristol pal @j_bansuri finding gorgeous beaches, sunset bars in the hills and just catching up
Airport hi balls with the one and only @mdkart23 short and very sweet ❤️
Being in ridiculous villas with @drsophiagazla and the rest of the gang.
Lucky girl - the adventures of 2026 have only just begun!
Thailand Friendsies instalment pt 1
Feeling so lucky to see so many lovely friendsies from all over the world and meet up with them on hols in Thailand!
Travelled with besties, met new besties, spent time with amazing and hilarious Thai people who are the nicest. London, Qatar, Ibiza, Thailand, Bristol, Brighton, Devon etc etc families, mummies, kids and besties ❤️
A lot of fun was had, there’s lots of pics!
Feeling very grateful for these people and starting 2026 right! More to come x
We’re thrilled to share that the International Premiere of Super Nature will be in the International Competition at Göteborg Film Festival. Thank you to artistic director Pia Lundberg for the programme write up:
“A spellbinding and tender film that offers a new perspective on one of the most pressing questions of our time: nature, and what we humans are doing to it.
In his feature debut, Ed Sayers invited people around the world to film the animals and landscapes in their immediate surroundings. The result is a moving love letter to nature and a breathtaking journey around the globe, taking us from England to the Indian Ocean, from the Grenadines to Sápmi, beautifully captured on vibrant Super 8. By embracing all that we have – and all that we stand to lose – the film opens up a new way of seeing the world, in an immersive audiovisual experience featuring around a hundred animal species. Rarely has the climate crisis been addressed with such warmth and heart.”
Please join us if you can
Sunday 25th January 15:00h with Q&A - Stora Teatern @stora_teatern
Monday 26th January 14:00h with Q&A - Skeppet @skeppet_gbg
Friday 30th January 15:30h - Biograf Draken @drakenfilm
Image is from a scene from Super Nature set in Yellowstone Park, USA created by @amivitale one of 40+ collaborators who made this global love letter to nature on #super8film
Christmas has started to feel like Christmas again.
Family, kids, babies, hosting, Dartmoor, my amazing siblings, my gorgeous sister in law and her family, the dogs, lovely decorations, sweet gifts, the pub for games and endless yummy food. Also managed to do my entire prezzy shop locally! Man it feels good to have a nice Christmas after so many tough ones.
Mum and Dad, you’re always missed but your sense of togetherness and joy runs through us always.
Huge thanks to Big Daddy Hame for cooking, it was so fun to be your sous chef. And Leah you are the hostess with the mostess. And sister - im just so glad you are back!
Ending a hard year with a lot of love, but so grateful to be back in Devon and be surrounded by nature, family, nieces, nephews, friends and the dawgs! Us Holman’s really do know how to have fun.
❤️ 🎄
Yoga, flowers and full festive magic ✨
Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our workshop. A beautiful blend of movement, mindfulness and magical Christmas wreath-making.
We stretched, we snipped, we sparkled and we laughed.
If you missed this one but would like to make your own wreath with me, I have two more workshops coming up at @heydaysdevon (2nd of December) and @positivelightprojects (11th of December) DM for details on how to book.
Very excited to be welcoming @yoga_with_taya into @balance.and.bloom.collective for next year’s yoga & floristry workshops.
Love and Gratitude,
Phoebe & Emily Xx
🎥 @phoebholman - capturing some gorgeous footage throughout the day while still managing to craft the most beautiful wreath! 🙌
Thank you to Carolyne @blueteasel for the beautiful locally grown foliage and Georgina @rivergardenflowers for her gorgeous pussy willow and for supplying the Christmas tree off cuts!
#christmas #festive #wreath #making #creative #yoga
Community is at the heart of our film Super Nature. All of the people across the globe who contributed are: Team Super Nature. Some of them came to the World Premiere at BFI London Film Festival in October and we hosted a lunch and ‘studio tour’ at Director Ed Sayers @edinstacam and family’s garden that afternoon. Last night we had a video call catching up with some of the further flung filmmakers who didn’t make it, together with some who did. Both moments reminded us how important it is to come together with like-minded people to do what can sometimes seem impossible, like trying to solve some of the issues of our time. We hope this film can do its little bit to support and inspire individual and collective action.
Ed was inspired by Roger Batteault’s straight 8 films of nature, and he got everyone else involved. So to have Roger, at 86 years old, in Ed’s garden celebrating with Remy (Roger’s son, who made the connection possible) and all of the team, was a fusion of worlds. The nature of Super Nature means everyone had a shared practice, creating on Super 8, but a completely different story to tell.
The original painting for the film poster - created by @_betty__sys_ and @_isla_day aka @bettyandisla - was revealed during the lunch and the posters were up at BFI Southbank later when we all arrived.
Stay tuned for more news about festivals or screenings near you, all being handled by @autlookfilmsales . The film will be in cinemas in the UK & Ireland in 2026, courtesy of BFI Distribution.
Produced by Rebecca Wolff @beccawolff27 , Beth Allan @isthisbethallan of @forestofblack
Associate Producer - Phoebe Holman @phoebholman
#lff #BFIlondonfilmfestival
📷 @sachamerilion and other guests
Proud to be supporting this and the wonderful @nikitainfilm on her community building.
Creative female and NB friends - this is the one.
SISTALAND Festival (11-12 Nov @sparksbristol ) is coming to Bristol next week and it’s looking 🔥
We are piloting a creative festival about and for women and NB creatives.
Think courage, community, talks, workshops and connection. Building meaningful networks, with trust and support at the heart; doing things differently, our way.
Made by creatives, for creatives 💛
Last tickets remain - get them before they go
It’s taken a few days to process the London Film Festival because it was so wonderful.
Super Nature screened at the BFI and the ICA both with sold out screenings.
This love letter to nature represents more than just the first feature film I’ve been lucky enough to cast and associate produce, it represents wild ideas actually coming to life!
Filming nature stories around the world, on Super 8, where the only thing that travels are the cameras….. who’d have thought it would be possible?
When I started on this I never knew what it would become and seeing it in London in the cinema with my sister and my best friends was joyful. Meeting the filmmakers in real life for the first time too was so special, especially my new pal Aiko from St Vincent.
I went through both my parents dying and full life change whilst working on this film, it was intense. But this project was a joyful constant that kept me inspired. I have my director Ed and both Producers, Becca and Beth to thank for keeping me tucked in the Super Nature team. So ambitious, blue sky thinking, endless possibilities, determination and support. I’ve learnt what is possible with this team and soaked up so much knowledge. Endless thanks to them, you are legends. Bloody successful legends too. I am in awe.
Sitting in the cinema made me realise I might have got a little lost in the past few years, gone somewhat left instead of straight but this whole experience is the soulful inspiration I’ve needed to crack on with my next project. And seeing my little name on the big screen was a career highlight.
I wish I could show my Mum and Dad, they’d love the mad process and be enamoured by the result; they’d love to hear Ed talk about it I am sure.
Most of all I think they’d genuinely be proud. I took them with me of course, got mums boots and coat and the necklace dad bought me.
Wearing the climate stripes by @houseoftammam and inspired by @climatehawkins was a genuine statement. These ‘warming stripe’ graphics are visual representations of the change in temperature. We are in trouble! #showyourstripes
Onwards and upwards though! Let’s make more epic films!
Thanks
@gettyimages and @millieturnercreative .
