The Ecologist Film Unit (EFU) is a unique new collaboration between The Ecologist magazine and Ecostorm, the world's leading ethical investigative agency.

Specialising in innovative, hard-hitting documentaries and news investigations, the EFU makes films for online, television and film festival output. Building on the Ecologist's reputation for agenda setting reporting on environmental issues and Ecostorm's investigative film production skills, the EFU aims to lift the lid on a host of unreported environmental scandals, as well as spark debate and nurture original thinking.

In production

The EFU is currently working on a major foreign investigation for release in November 2008, as well as developing a number of other stories for output in 2009.

Contact us

Got a story? If you have a story you think we should be investigating, exclusive tip-offs or original ideas please get in touch (in confidence). We are particularly interested in genuine insider information (whistle-blowers) relating to unreported ecological and social scandals, cover-ups or wrongdoing in the UK. Contact us at:

efu@theecologist.org | Tel: (London office) +44(0)20 7422 8100 | Tel: (Brighton office) +44(0)1273 648944

EFU productions to date

Bangladesh - Hell for Leather

The EFU debut, Hell For Leather - an investigation into the shocking human and ecological cost of Bangladesh's leather trade - was broadcast on the green.tv portal before being picked up by the BBC World channel and transmitted to an audience of over 100 million worldwide. Filmed in Bangladesh over a two week period, the film revealed how leather used in consumer goods, including shoes, handbags, trinkets and luxury car interiors - some of which find their way onto European high streets - is linked to serious health problems amongst tannery workers.

Melting Point

The EFU followed this with the release of the controversial Melting Point - The New Frontline In Environmental Activism, which investigated the espionage, news manipulation, legal threats and violence that have become the knee-jerk response of government and big business to the increasing and vocal concerns of environmental protesters in the UK. The film received extensive coverage across the UK press, particularly following controversial comments made by high profile contributors including Sir David King.

Giri Raja

Our third film, Giri Raja: The Forest King, produced in conjunction with Compassion In World Farming, examined the extraordinary way in which scientists and communities are working together to improve livelihoods, consumer safety and animal welfare in rural India using an ancient breed of chicken.