Cambridge UK, since 2013
We make films about research, without dumbing it down.
Documentaries and campaigns for universities, research institutes and innovators, whose work deserves more than a ninety-second explainer.
Trusted by
01How we work together
You know the research. We know the audience.
Before anything is filmed, we agree together on how the story gets told. You bring understanding of what the work means and why it matters. We bring film storytelling, and a non-specialist's sense of what will impact people outside your field. The hard work is done in that creative collaboration, then the shoot captures that plan.
As a result, nothing is a surprise in the edit. Is the research properly represented? The final decision is yours. We are finished when we think an audience will be drawn in, and you think the work has been done justice.
02What we make
What kind of films can we collaborate on?
We work directly with researchers, or with communications professionals in academia and innovation businesses.
Films about a piece of research
Making a specific piece of work understood by people outside the field, without losing the critical details. Documentaries, short research films, or a podcast series that goes deeper into the subject than a film can.
Films with a job to do
A fundraising campaign, a recruitment round, a launch, a reputation to build on. For colleges, development offices, agencies and innovation businesses.
03Excerpts from films
A look at our work
Humanities documentary
Science films
Comms for Cambridge Colleges
In their words
What clients say
"Cambridge TV are simply outstanding to work with. They have years of experience, endless resources of creativity, and the warmth and humour to make them an absolute pleasure as a partner on any project. Always choose Cambridge TV: you will be delighted with the results."
SH · Creative Warehouse
"It all looks lovely. Thank you so much for bringing your immense talent and professionalism to the shoot, I really enjoyed working with you."
YMG · BBC News Technology & Innovation
"Wow! Thank you so much, this is beautifully done. It's really high quality, and wonderful to see it all come together. The end result looks brilliant, a real feather in MML's cap. My thanks for all your wonderful work, generosity and good humour."
CL & TC · University of Cambridge
"We loved sharing the films at the Corn Exchange and they went down so well! They looked amazing on the big screen."
SD · Hills Road Sixth Form College
"Wow, this looks incredible! I found myself feeling inspired watching it."
RS · Robinson College, Cambridge
04What it costs
£2,500 to £10,000+
Most films land in that range. A short campaign film sits at the lower end, a longer research documentary or a prestige podcast series at the upper end. More ambitious projects can go above this range.
Academic budgets often have to be applied for, rather than found. Let's have a no-commitment talk early on. We'll help you scope something that will get approved.
The things people worry about
- "Will it end up oversimplified?" We get into your research and want to tell as much of the story as an intelligent non-specialist can absorb. We'll collaborate on how the story is told, so nothing is a surprise in the edit. How the research is explained properly is your decision.
- "I don't like being on camera." Many people we film have never done it before, but making it comfortable is part of our job. Some films need you on camera very little, or not at all - we'll find a way to tell the story that you're excited about.
- "It's hard to get a film funded." We have worked inside universities for over a decade. We'll help you build something that meets the criteria funders want to see: demonstrable impact, public engagement, media experience.
Still working out the numbers?
Get three costed examples
The days, crew and deliverables behind three budgets: under £2,500, roughly £5,000 and around £10,000, with a film from each to watch. The clearest way to see how scope and cost relate before you have to commit to anything.
We'll send the guide, then occasional tips for creating video and podcast projects. Unsubscribe in one click, whenever you like.
Who you'll work with
From first chat to final cut
The in-house team runs your project with you, even if extra freelance help is brought on board.
Carl Homer Director
Over twenty years in TV and film, with credits including Grand Designs and Blue Peter, and crew work alongside Hollywood stars. He still shoots for the BBC's Tech Now, which keeps him close to the science.
Joe Donaghy Editor
Years in Soho post production houses, cutting trailers for Star Wars and Marvel, making films for organisations like Stonewall and running projects for Disney and Adidas.